Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona took the final few innings off during the March 21 game against the Chicago White Sox.

He turned the lineup card over to his associate bench coach, Mike Napoli. The former big-leaguer who won a World Series with the 2013 Boston Red Sox aspires to be a manager.

If the results of the Cactus League game are any indication, Napoli is on the right track.

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According to Reds beat reporter Charlie Goldsmith, Napoli engineered key moves as Cincinnati earned a walk-off win over the White Sox. P.J. Higgins’ grand slam finished the 11-7 victory.

Terry Francona had associate bench coach Mike Napoli manage the final few innings today.

It was a good experience… and then Napoli pulled some really good levers in a ninth inning that ended with a walk off grand slam from PJ Higgins and a Reds win.

Napoli used two pinch…

— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) March 22, 2026

“Good old baseball. Get the first two guys over and put it into the hitter’s hands to score the runs,” Napoli said, per Goldsmith. “It was fun. I want to manage one day. It’s nice to be at the head and making the calls, watching the game, trying to stay ahead of the game.”

Goldsmith asked Napoli what Francona was doing during the rally.

“He was behind me with (catching coach Bill Hassleman) telling stories the whole time,” Napoli said.

Texas Rangers first baseman Mike Napoli (5) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Atlanta Braves in 2017. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images.

Napoli enjoyed a 12-year playing career with the Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland. He batted .248 with an .811 OPS while hitting 267 career home runs and driving in 744 runs.

The Reds have tasked Napoli with helping top prospect Sal Stewart make the switch from third base to first. A former catcher, Napoli played 659 career games at first base.

Cincinnati plays its final Cactus League game at 3:05 p.m. ET March 22 before heading to Milwaukee for a pair of exhibition games. Opening Day is set for 4:10 p.m. ET March 26 against one of Napoli’s former teams, the Red Sox.

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