BOSTON -- Mike Napoli showed the Boston Red Sox he could have a strong season despite a hip condition that delayed his signing a year ago. Chuck Bednarik Jersey . So they rushed to re-sign the first baseman who general manager Ben Cherington described Friday as "a unique player." The World Series champions finalized a $32 million, two-year agreement Thursday with the slugging former catcher who turned into a surprisingly good defender. "It was clearly one of our priorities," Cherington said in a conference call. "When we pursued Mike last year and ultimately signed him we did that because we felt like his skill set would obviously help us on the field and we also heard a lot about his reputation as a teammate." After agreeing to a $39 million, three-year contract last December, the Red Sox heard about his avascular necrosis condition in both hips that can cause bone tissue to die because of poor blood supply. About six weeks later, in late January, a $5 million, one-year deal was reached. With performance bonuses, Napoli ended up making $13 million. His new contract has no provisions protecting the team against hip problems, Cherington said. The 32-year-old Napoli was eager to return to the city he excited with his homers and bushy beard. "After going through what I went through last year, it was definitely a relief to just go through this," he said. "Im happy to be back. I wanted to be in a place where I was comfortable and somewhere where we can win." Fears about his hips were unfounded, at least for last season. The eight-year veteran had career highs in at bats, run, hits, doubles, RBIs, walks and strikeouts and made just six errors in his first full season as a first baseman. He also had a good time bonding with his beard-tugging teammates. "As a player, its probably the best time Ive ever had being around a group of guys," Napoli said. "It was a lot of fun going to the park every day, seeing those guys, trying to see what was going to happen that day, see how we were going to mess around with each other." With fellow newcomers Jonny Gomes, Shane Victorino and David Ross, Napoli was part of a tight-knit group that changed the clubhouse culture from the previous year. "Having spent several months around him, it became very clear that he was not just an important part of the team on the field," Cherington said, "but, really, a particularly important guy in the clubhouse. Really, a lot of things that Mike does as a player and as a teammate are things that we believe in strongly. Hes accountable. Hes responsible. Hes prepared." Napoli said other teams were interested in signing him. He had been comfortable the previous two seasons in Texas but told his agent he wanted to stay in Boston. He batted .259 with 23 home runs and 92 RBIs then hit two key solo homers in the AL championship series against Detroit -- in a 1-0 win in Game 3 and a 4-3 win in Game 5. The Red Sox won that series in six games. In the post-season, Napoli drove in seven runs as Boston also beat Tampa Bay in the division series and St. Louis in the World Series. "Were confident that Mike is healthy," Cherington said, "and we feel that hes going to be a great part of our team for the next couple of years and, hopefully, beyond." Napoli just wants to get started on his second season with Boston after winning the World Series in his first. "After going through this and being able to sit down and realize what happened for me, it makes me hungry," Napoli said. "I cant wait to get back on the field, be with my teammates again, and try to do it again." Reggie White Eagles Jersey . Atletico Madrid made it three wins from three thanks to a double from in-form striker Diego Costa in a 3-0 victory at Austria Vienna, leaving the Spanish side on the brink of the last 16 already to continue its brilliant start to the season. Dallas Goedert Jersey . Ronaldo netted his 14th goal of the season in Europes top competition to give Madrid a clear advantage ahead of next weeks quarterfinal return leg in Germany. But it came at a price as the Portugal forward, who came into the first-leg nursing a sore left knee, came off in the 80th minute. https://www.eaglessportsgoods.com/Womens-Nick-Foles-Inverted-Jersey/ . TSN was honoured with several awards, with Rod Smith and James Duthie sharing the win for Best Sports Host for SportsCentre and the NHL: Season On The Brink coverage, respectively.BARCELONA, Spain -- Barcelona compounded its exit from the Champions League by losing 1-0 at Granada on Saturday, letting Real Madrid move ahead into second place in the Spanish league with a 4-0 win over Almeria. Barcelonas stumble ensured the same Atletico Madrid that ousted it from Europes top-tier competition would maintain the league lead with five more rounds to go, as it was level on points with Madrid but ahead on goal difference before it visited Getafe on Sunday. Granadas Yacine Brahimi scored what proved to be the winner in the 16th minute and goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis made saves to deny Lionel Messi and Neymar amid a plethora of scoring chances that Barcelona failed to finish. Barcelona has four more days to regroup from back-to-back defeats before it plays Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final in Valencia. "Its a step back," said Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, whose late shot trickled by the post with Granada bunkered down in its area. "It hurts more given how few games are left. Sometimes its difficult to explain it when you lose. We did everything but score. We controlled everything else, but just couldnt finish our chances. Sometimes when the team is emitting strange vibes, this happens." With his centerbacks Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra and Carles Puyol all injured, Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino shifted Sergio Busquets into his back line and started Alex Song in midfield. It didnt take long for the shuffling to backfire, when Song lost the ball and Granada sprang a counterattack. Fran Rico quickly played Brahimi through for the forward to ride Martin Montoyas mark before he shot beyond goalkeeper Jose Pinto. "I dont think the lineup changes were decisive in a match that Barcelona should have won," Martino said. "Normally Barcelona wins this game by four or five goals. After two losses, the squad feels that something important is slipping away, but on Wednesday we must try and win the final (of the Copa)." &qquot;I cant feel good after these results, but we will keep fighting for the league. Nick Foles Womens Jersey. We cant confuse sadness with giving up." Barcelona peppered Granadas area with crosses and shots but went no closer in the first half than Neymars long-range attempt in the 30th that Karnezis pushed wide, while Messi tried in vain to dribble through the middle of the defence. The visitors kept pressing after the restart and Karnezis was called on to stab Cesc Fabregas volley around his post in the 54th. He then stretched to palm Messis free kick before he was well positioned to block Sergio Busquets try. Granadas Youssef El Arabi almost grabbed a second goal two minutes from time but he couldnt better Pinto one-on-one. Madrid didnt miss injured star Cristiano Ronaldo as it bounced back from its poor performance at Borussia Dortmund with a dominant victory. Angel Di Maria, Gareth Bale, Isco Alarcon and Alvaro Morata scored at the Santiago Bernabeu to keep Almeria in the relegation zone. Di Maria hit the crossbar to set the tone early and followed up in the 28th by curling in Madrids opener. Madrid toyed with Almeria until Bale scored his 14th league goal of the season from Karim Benzemas pass in the 53rd, with Isco hitting three minutes later. Morata went on to score five minutes from time. "We knew that the league would have more twists," Di Maria said. "We were behind (Barcelona) and then we were ahead, we fell behind again and now we are back in front. We know that we have to treat each remaining game as if it were the last." Also, Villarreal striker Jeremy Perbet headed in a free kick five minutes into stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 win over Levante. The otherwise dull match appeared destined to end scoreless until a late foul let Manuel Trigueros find Perbet unmarked at the near post. Villarreals win lifted it into sixth place, one point ahead of Real Sociedad after it allowed 10-man Celta Vigo to fight back twice for a 2-2 draw. ' ' '