Yardbarker: Mike Napoli

To Replay or Not To Replay: The Debate of the Playoffs

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:54:57 -0500

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP 13 days ago: The Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia, left, talks with third base umpire Tim McClelland about a fifth inning double tag by Angels catcher Mike Napoli against New York Yankees Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada at Game 4 of the American League Championship baseball series Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, in Anaheim, Calif. Posada was called out and Cano remained on third as a fielder'...

Five Angels In A Sports Bar

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:47:39 -0500

I came across this interesting collection of photos posted by a young lady from San Diego who was hanging out with her girlfriends at Nationals Sports Bar on October 1, 2006. They sort of tell a story of what happens when you run into five Angels players in a sports bar. She even captioned a few of the photos and describes an altercation between Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis which I found a little frightening. Anyway here is her story in pictures. She met Scot Shields there. And ...

Aybar Silences His Critics.. until now

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:10:00 -0500

(Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) By David Saltzer - AngelsWin.com ColumnistAybar, I’m SorryI’ll admit it: I wasn’t an Aybar fan this year. By the end of April, I was ready to throw in the towel on him. In several threads I wrote that the Angels should either trade him or bench him in favor of playing Brandon Wood.I wasn’t condemning him for missing the bunt in last year’s playoffs. While failing to make a critical play never makes for popularity, I wasn’t willing to condemn him for an ...

Angels Victory Tuesday Clinches Red Sox Rematch

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:50:42 -0500

Final Score in Anaheim: Angels 5, Rangers 2 Poll Panther of the Game Sean O'Sullivan Mike Napoli 21 votes | Results

Angelswin.com at the yard. Napoli to catch Kaz

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:14:00 -0500

By Chuck Richter - Executive EditorDespite his big bat, Mike Napoli has seen a good share of time on the bench this season to the weaker hitting catcher Jeff Mathis. That could change as Mike Scioscia when asked on Tuesday before the Angels took on the Seattle Mariners who would catch Scott Kazmir's first start, Scioscia said that Mike Napoli would be Kazmir's receiver on Wednesday afternoon vs. Felix Hernandez."Nap will catch tomorrow and we'll kind of roll with it to see wh...

Mike Napoli is taking his game to the next level for the Los Angeles Angels

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:23:05 -0500

Everyone knew that 27-year old righty swinging catcher Mike Napoli had power but not too many people expected him to hit for much of an averge. After all, he came into this season with a .248 career batting average in 252 games in the majors. Napoli has really hit the ball well this [...]

Mike Napoli versus Jeff Mathis: Platoon Not Catching On.

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:57:41 -0500

Let's see, Jeff Mathis is a self proclaimed "automatic out" hitting below the Mendoza line with minimal power. Mike Napoli has 13 homers, "as much raw power as anyone in the league" according to his manager, and is hitting a solid .285 - not to mention his walk off double last night against the Twins. Why are they platooning again? Oh, right, Mathis is a slightly better signal caller, emphasis on the 'slightly.' He's no Johnny Bench back there. He's...

Mike Napoli with the walk-off; Angels comeback again!

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:52:28 -0500

More photos » by Mark Avery - AP about 2 hours ago: Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Scott Baker reacts as he leaves the game after giving up two runs against the Los Angeles Angels in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, July 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Avery) Browse more photos » Final Score: Angels 6, Twins 5It was a rocky start for the starting pitcher Jered Weaver, but ...

SUNDAY ANGELS ROUNDUP: Napoli Powers Win, Angels Look To Trade

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:33:31 -0500

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP Browse more photos » Up next for Angels: Sunday at Arizona - Los Angeles TimesMatt Palmer vs. Max Scherzer Mike Napoli's home run powers Angels to victory - Los Angeles Times"That ball was crushed," Hunter said. "Oh my God, that would have been out in old Tiger Stadium, which was 440 feet to center." Napoli didn't get too caught up in the moment....

Starting Five: Napoli Lifts Angels to Top

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:00:00 -0500

by Jeff FletcherFiled under: Angels, Mariners, Marlins, Rays, Red Sox, White Sox, Starting FiveStarting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what is ahead. You Oughta Know ... That Mike Napoli is one of the best power hitters you've never heard of. Napoli, the Angels catcher, blasted his 10th homer, a tie-breaking 428-foot shot in the ninth inning to lead the Angels to a 2-1 victory over the Diamondbacks. Later in the day, when the Rangers lost...

Erick Aybar Bunt HR, Mike Napoli Moonshot Carry Angels Over Diamondbacks

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:44:53 -0500

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP Well with that Blue Shirt you look like Tommy Lasorda, so THERE! Browse more photos » Final Score in Arizona: Angels 2, Diamondbacks 1 With his team down 1-0 in the top of the 6th inning, Angels shortstop Erick Aybar lead off with a bunt single attempt. Nine seconds and Two bunt attempts later the score was tied. With the feather of owning the 4th longest homerun in...

Angels Sign Napoli

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:30:28 -0500

The Angels and Mike Napoli have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one year deal worth 2 million dollars. Napoli hit .273 with 20 HR in 78 games for the Angels last season. He struggled through the first half of the season hitting just .204, but hit .388 during the second half. If healthy, he could play a huge role in the Angels run towards the playoffs.
This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Mike Napoli, Angels grabbing onto dear hope

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:14:09 -0500

Great Honor

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:05:56 -0500

What's happenin' Yard? Walked into the clubhouse today and the PR guys told me that I was named Pitcher of the Month. Pretty cool news to get when you first roll in. Then the rest of the guys congratulated me. Honestly, it means a lot because it shows we are winning as a team. For me to go 5-0 in a month, we must be playing pretty well. I know we haven't been scoring as many runs as we'd like, but we are still winning with our pitching. One major contributor to the success is that I have command of my pitches. I have been spotting the ball well in critical pitch counts and that usually leads to success. Getting ahead early in the strike zone and not allowing walks has been key as well. The guys behind the plate have been key too. Mathis or Nap, both of those guys are a great asset for this team. I did receive the same award in July of 2006 but I think this five-game win streak matches a career-high. There have been some stretches that were similar. This one is special because I just came back from the DL and I was chomping at the bit to help out the team while I was out. It feels great to come out and contribute.