Terry Francona’s unforeseen return to baseball marked the first of two Red Sox World Series champion additions made by the Cincinnati Reds this offseason.
Mike Napoli, a member of Boston’s 2013 championship team, will join Francona’s coaching staff, per WEEI’s Rob Bradford. Napoli spent the past five seasons with the Chicago Cubs, initially as the organization’s quality assurance coach before being promoted to first base coach in 2022 — a position Napoli held until departing in 2024.
Francona and Napoli never shared the dugout in Boston, but the two did cross paths during their time with Cleveland. Francona was Cleveland’s skipper while Napoli was the team’s everyday first baseman and designated hitter. Together, they reached the 2016 World Series, falling short to the Cubs in Game 7 so the rapport is there. Francona is a proven champion at the helm while Napoli is a proven postseason performer.
There’s no word yet on what responsibilities will come with Napoli’s new gig. Most of Cincinnati’s coaching staff roles were announced earlier this month, but considering Napoli’s accumulated experience, both as a player and a coach, there’s plenty the ex-All-Star can provide next season.
Even before Napoli called it a career in 2018, the thoughts of coaching and giving back to baseball were already looming — and still haven’t left.
“I really feel this satisfaction of when you try to get somebody to get better or try something and they really buy into it and they do it and then they have success, they look at you like ‘Oh,’ they’re grateful,” Napoli told Audacy Sports in April. “That gives me satisfaction and makes me feel really good. To help us win, contribute. I’m not playing but I’m still trying to contribute to help us win. That feeling is why I think I do it.”
