Napoli Changes Pants, Changes Luck

Heading into the 7th inning of last nights 2013 ALCS Game 3 match between the Red Sox and Tigers, Boston first baseman Mike Napoli was 0 for 6 with 6 strikeouts in the series.

Napoli had come to the plate the previous six times in the series wearing short pants with high red socks, and when you whiff six times in a row (and you’re as superstitious as a baseball player) you gotta change something.

“I yelled, ‘if I get out, get me some long pants!'” – recalled Napoli after the game in an interview with Erin Andrews of FOX Sports

Napoli Short Pants 2013 ALCS — Mike Napoli wearing his short pants with high socks during his 2nd inning strikeout

What happened next is well known, Mike smacked the game winning home run off of Tigers’ ace Justin Verlander, scoring the only run in a 1-0 Red Sox victory giving them a 2-1 series lead.

“I know he changed his pants and rubbed Jonny [Gomes’] beard, so maybe tomorrow night we’ll all start doing that.” – Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalmacchia.

“Sometimes you need to clean the slate, and he did it.” – Jonny Gomes

Napoli Long Pants Home Run 2013 ALCS — Long pants and short socks, a game winning combination for Napoli

Napoli ended up getting to the plate again with the long pants look, there were no epic heroics, just a ground out to end the top of the 9th… but at least he didn’t strike out.

Yes, it’s a slow news day.