Napoli homers for fan with cancer — again

CLEVELAND — Kat Heintzelman hoped for the hug. The home run would simply be a bonus. Both of the requests were incredibly answered Monday by Indians first basmen Mike Napoli, who continued to serve as a distraction Wednesday for her daunting road ahead.

From Heintzelman’s seats down the left-field line, she watched Napoli launch another home run during Cleveland’s 5-4, 11-inning win over the Rangers on Wednesday night. One day after she began chemotherapy for Stage 3 colon cancer, Napoli came through for her again, just as he did when she showed up Monday with a poster and a prayer.

“He homered again for me,” Heintzelman said with a smile. “Imagine that. It’s crazy.”

Their story began before Monday’s series opener against the Rangers. Heintzelman arrived with a sign that read, “Chemo starts tomorrow. Mike Napoli, can I get a hug and a homer?” Napoli walked over to meet Heintzelman, who is a season-ticket holder from Youngstown, Ohio. The first baseman put his arm around Kat and posed for a photo.

And then, in the sixth inning on Monday, Napoli belted a solo home run. It was a moment that carried more meaning than the Tribe’s 9-2 defeat.

“It was pretty cool,” Napoli said with a smile. “I got to talk to her for a little bit. She started chemo. We just talked about how awesome it worked out. It was a cool moment.”

Napoli hits home run for fan with …

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