Cleveland Indians: Mike Napoli officially joining the Texas Rangers

Former Cleveland Indians slugger Mike Napoli has officially signed with the Texas Rangers after one great season in Cleveland.

Just over a week ago, news broke that Mike Napoli was reportedly joining the Texas Rangers. That news became official early Thursday morning.

Cleveland Indians fans knew Napoli was not making a return to Cleveland after the team signed Edwin Encarnacion, but some may have held out some faint hope for a miracle.

Napoli was not only a great player for the Indians in 2016, but he was a fan favorite, while also being a clubhouse leader. He did it all.

He brought a veteran, playoff-experienced, presence to a young team, undoubtedly helping the team stay loose during one of the most exciting runs in franchise history.

His return to the Rangers marks his third stint with the team, and also makes the Rangers a serious contender for the AL crown. They will have to fight to make it out of the AL West against the likes of the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners, but Napoli’s power in the lineup will help.

Napoli’s legend would have been much greater in Cleveland if the team had won the World Series, but any fan who witnessed the 2016 season will always have great respect for the man. He embraced the city and the city embraced him back right away.

Party at Napoli’s shirts have now become a vintage item that will surely still be seen at the confines of Progressive Field for years to come.

Fans ultimately want a winning team on the field, but it helps make the season more fun when the players are genuinely good people. Napoli joined the rest of his teammates in being great ambassadors for the game of baseball in Cleveland, while also being easy to root for.

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He will be missed, but fans will get to see him several times throughout the season, including in the opening series of the season when the Indians take on the Rangers down in Texas.