Mike Napoli doing well, not concerned by collision with Tampa Bay Rays’ star Sean Rodriguez
Mike Napoli told the press on Thursday, October 6 that he did not feel anything different after colliding with the Tampa Bay Rays short-stop and former team-mate, Sean Rodriguez in Game 4 of the American League Division Series.
The player told the press defiantly that he was feeling well and it was all part of the game. There were reports issued from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington detailing no ill effects sustained by the catcher.
Napoli is one of the key players in the Texas Rangers’ line up and there is a lot of concern directed at his fitness level.
Manager Ron Washington however has come out to report one effect from the collision at the home plate on Thursday. The skipper noted that the catcher swallowed his own gum.
"He said, 'Geez, I had a wad of chew, where is it?'" Washington spoke of Mike Napoli's response.
The regular catcher in the post-season also came out to tell the reporters that he doesn’t think the catchers should have extra protection from the Major League Baseball authority. He offered resistance to any form of ruling on the game.
"It's part of the game. I signed up for it, it's part of the game. I expect it," Napoli said. "If I'm running the bases and there's a situation where the guy's blocking the plate, I'm going to hit him, too."
The issue has cropped up over the last few months following Buster Posey’s serious leg break play that came up when Florida Marlins’ Scott Cousins smashed into the San Francisco Giants’ catcher early in the regular season. Posey was subsequently sidelined
for the whole year.
Napoli has been doing well for the Texans in the post-season. After hitting .320 in the regular season, the star has picked up a .357 average with five hits, three runs, four RBIs and one home-run.
As the Rangers head into the American League Championship Series, all eyes are on the player’s fitness, as each game is crucial and their performance can decide their fate for a potential World Series spot.
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