For Mike Napoli, placing the Cleveland Indians in the past wasn't easy

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mike Napoli began his walk through the dimly lit tunnel in the bowels of Progressive Field on Monday afternoon.

He planned to pop into Terry Francona's office before he made his way to his locker.

One problem: He reached the visitor's clubhouse first. He was so accustomed to walking to the Indians' clubhouse that the new routine tripped him up.

It's been nearly eight months since Napoli's last visit to Progressive Field, a venue that hosted his majestic home runs and hosted fans adorned in his blue "Party at Napoli's" shirts.

The Indians moved on from the slugger over the winter as they pounced on a chance to sign Edwin Encarnacion. That wasn't easy news for Napoli to swallow.

"It was a tough offseason for me," the 35-year-old said in the Rangers' dugout on Monday. "What we went through and everything that happened, it was almost like unfinished business, obviously wanting to be back here. It's part of the game.

"The player they got is one of the best hitters in the game. They were trying to get better and they had the opportunity to sign somebody, so I had to go somewhere else. It's the way the sport is these days. Obviously, I would've loved to come back and play here, but it's just the way it worked out."

Napoli signed a one-year deal with Texas worth about $8.5 million. In his mind, ideally, he would have inked a pact with Cleveland for more money and more years. Instead, the Indians courted Encarnacion to Cleveland, which left players and manager Terry Francona with a bittersweet feeling.

When the Indians made the Encarnacion signing official, Francona and several Tribe players reached out to Napoli.

"The relationships I created on and off the field," Napoli said, "being able to do the charity stuff, the whole 'Party at Napoli's' thing was unbelievable with how the fans took to it and to raise all that money. Overall, it was a special year and it'll be something I can hopefully tell my kids about someday. It's something I'll never forget."

The last couple of months of Napoli's tenure stand out, as the first baseman struggled at the plate in August, September and October. He still pieced together a career year, though, with 34 home runs, 101 RBI and higher games played and plate appearances totals than the Indians could have imagined when they scooped him up on a one-year contract.

He provided a long-desired right-handed power presence, as he frequently peppered the left-field bleacher seats with soaring baseballs. He also offered valuable leadership in the clubhouse, something any team needs while navigating the postseason waters for the first time.

"I was just in there being myself and trying to bring people together that genuinely care about each other," Napoli said, "so when we go on the field, we play as a team and we were able to do that."

Napoli ultimately found his way to Francona's office on Monday afternoon. He sat on the skipper's couch and they chatted.

Players and staff members would walk past and peer into the office window.

"A couple guys came in and almost tried to tackle him," Francona said. "Tried."

Prior to Monday's series opener, Napoli will receive his American League championship ring, a moment both he and Francona have been anticipating.

"He's so well thought of," Francona said. "And he knows, we don't want him to beat us. I think he probably would respect that. I respect it in him that you're competitive, you want to win. But that doesn't take away any of the fondness or respect or appreciation that we have for him."

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