Why Mike Napoli Is Being Mentioned With Reggie Jackson

Mike Napoli’s work over the brief two-game series with Boston, which came to a close on Wednesday night, has the Rangers’ catcher in some pretty elite company--at least if you’re the kind of fan who is into obscure but interesting stats; namely, Mr. October Reggie Jackson.

Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas writes today that with a 3-for-5, four-RBI performance on Tuesday and a a 3-for-4, four-RBI performance on Wednesday, Nap became the first visiting player at Fenway to post consecutive 3-hit, 4-RBI performances since Jackson did it in 1969.

Then a member of the Oakland A’s, Jackson outdid Napoli just a bit--posting five hits and a whopping 10 RBIs on June 14 of that year, and then three hits and four RBIs on June 15.

But we can hardly take anything away from Napoli, who hit three home runs and a two-run double in the short series, and who is making a habit of owning the BoSox.

Said Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis of Napoli, per the Dallas Morning News: “The guy seems like he hits .700 against us lifetime.”