Ran across this article over on fangraphs detailing the Napoli's hip issue in more medical/historical contexts.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/mike-napolis-aching-hips-what-is-avascular-necrosis/

If the Rangers knew this was there, then it is VERY easy to see why they passed. What I can't get is how Napoli was as surprised as the Red Sox were when they found it in the physical. If the Rangers knew, did they not tell him that's why they were passing on him or was it a total blindside when he had his physical with the sox? Further, the implication that it can be caused by steriod usage adds a slight twinge, although I don't think Napoli is the sort... Probably more of an instance that he plays a much more physical position,. Interesting read for sure.

(ps. This is NOT intended to reinstigate the "Napoli should have been back in Texas" argument. That's over and done. This is just hindsight speculation to the behind the scenes of the whole ordeal.)

Even without the hip issue, I was already wondering if Napoli's stunning rise to best hitter in the league, and just-as-sudden fall again, had to do with a 'roided up half season. He was a spare backup catcher when the Rangers got him, being given away by one team after another, yet after he thrashed around for a couple months as a Ranger, he suddenly became unstoppable.

To then see him come down with a malady associated with prior steroid use adds more fuel to the fire, in my book.

I've come to the simple conclusion he's one who juiced his way to stardom. His 2011-12 run as a Ranger had an extreme rollercoaster in it, huge rise and huge drop, and having a steroid-fueled burst in production by a baseball player isn't unheard of by any means.

Am I condemning him for it? Nah, I really don't care. If he wanted to take that chance, it's his life, his body, his career. And to be honest, I'm thankful for the amazing power show that were some great times for a Rangers' fan. I'll give him rousing applause when he comes back to play, even in another uni, because he was so fun to watch.

But to me it's too apparent to pretend it didn't happen. Way too much "coincidence" to ignore. And I gotta add that I loved the 2011 Napoli, but there's no yearning for that post-steroid version.

Who cares-he a Red Sox now.

As an aside, when a physician sees a patient and discovers a serious problem like this, they are bound by many codes and laws to disclose this information to the patient...they knew, he knew and the Sox found out and protected themselves.

W H O C A R E S ? ?

My first guess is the Rangers told Nap... my second guess is Nap was hoping to slide it by the Sox and, if not, that he could work out something similar to what WAS worked out so that he could go ahead and join the Nation of Beaneaters.

Looney's back? Cool! Welcome back, dude!

Loved your article on managing and the one on teamwork.

Too bad that, if you put in more than 10 words, some of these idiots freak out and start reposting over-and-over again just to show how blown out they are by an actual line of thought with more than just hot dogs and beer in it.

Hey Dragggggle: Has your post come out in paperback yet?

"Even without the hip issue, I was already wondering if Napoli's stunning rise to best hitter in the league, and just-as-sudden fall again, had to do with a 'roided up half season...To then see him come down with a malady associated with prior steroid use adds more fuel to the fire, in my book."

It's very unfortunate that the author of the FanGraphs article did not make it clear that the steroids often associated with the incidence of AVN are corticosteroids - NOT anabolic steroids. Cortisone shots. Prednisone. That sort of thing. Not PEDs.

Again-why do we care?

Not that Eric

maybe you should quit replying with question marks if you want the conversation to end....OR here's a crazy thought,

STAY OUT OF THREADS THAT YOU DEEM UNWORTHY!

Heywood JobBlowMe:
Her's a crazy idea--RUN ALONG MORON.

^^^^
Mental midget.

Romro, stop feeding the trolls, man.

@rbt, that's interesting, I didn't know that. Like you said, it's a complete shame that wasn't mentioned. It is left to lead people who dont know about steroids much (like me) to believe it was drugging induced. Thanks for the clarification, and I'd urge you to contact the writer of that post and call him on that.

Homro is a TROLL? Who knew?