{"id":637642,"date":"2026-03-22T19:20:40","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T19:20:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/637642\/"},"modified":"2026-03-22T19:20:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T19:20:40","slug":"world-series-champ-gets-chance-to-manage-leads-cincinnati-reds-to-walk-off-victory-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/637642\/","title":{"rendered":"World Series champ gets chance to manage, leads Cincinnati Reds to walk-off victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona took the final few innings off during the March 21 game against the Chicago White Sox.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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If the results of the Cactus League game are any indication, Napoli is on the right track.<\/p>\n

MORE: Dodgers cut World Series champion who made final out of 2025 three days before Opening Day<\/a><\/p>\n

According to Reds beat reporter Charlie Goldsmith<\/a>, Napoli engineered key moves as Cincinnati earned a walk-off win over the White Sox. P.J. Higgins\u2019 grand slam finished the 11-7 victory.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood old baseball. Get the first two guys over and put it into the hitter\u2019s hands to score the runs,\u201d Napoli said, per Goldsmith<\/a>. \u201cIt was fun. I want to manage one day. It\u2019s nice to be at the head and making the calls, watching the game, trying to stay ahead of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Goldsmith asked Napoli what Francona was doing during the rally.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was behind me with (catching coach Bill Hassleman) telling stories the whole time,\u201d Napoli said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s former teams, the Red Sox.<\/p>\n

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