SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — New Cubs manager David Ross is down to just one opening left on his coaching staff after bringing friend and former Red Sox teammate Mike Napoli into the organization as quality assurance coach.
Napoli, as famous for a “Party at Napoli’s” reputation as for his hard-nosed playing career that included an All-Star selection, retired in 2018 after 14 seasons as a catcher and first baseman that included trips to the World Series with the Rangers in 2011, Red Sox in 2013 and Indians in 2016.
He and Ross were teammates on the Red Sox championship team.
During the 2016 World Series against the Cubs, T-shirts were sold in Cleveland bearing the “Party at Napoli’s” reference that grew out of Napoli’s epic bar-hopping celebration after the ‘13 title — including, eventually, shirtless photos on social media during his romp around Boston.
He’s the third new coach added to the staff for next season, with one opening for a base coach left on the staff.
The Cubs’ 2020 coaching roster:
- Bench — Andy Green (replaces Mark Loretta)
- Bullpen — Chris Young (Lester Strode)
- Quality assurance — Mike Napoli (Chris Denorfia)
- Third/First base — Open (Brian Butterfield)
- Third/First base — Will Venable (returning)
- Hitting — Anthony Iapoce (returning)
- Assistant hitting — Terrmel Sledge (returning)
- Pitching — Tommy Hottovy (returning)
- Associate pitching/catching/strategy — Mike Borzello (returning)
