Mike Napoli shaved his beard, is barely recognizable

Mike Napoli has finally decided to say goodbye to the symbol of the 2014 World Series champion Boston Red Sox. I have followed Napoli pretty closely throughout his career, and if you showed me the photo above without any context I probably couldn’t even tell you who it was.

[Related: Jonny Gomes got World Series tattoo that includes a huge beard]

With the Red Sox in last place and Jonny Gomes in Oakland, now was probably the right time for Napoli to change his look. Good thing he’s not a wanted fugitive, because there is no way the average person would be able to identify him now if he committed the crime while still bearded.

Even before Napoli signed with Boston and turned growing a massive beard into a team bonding exercise, he always had some sort of facial hair.

If Red Sox fans were somehow unaware that it was over at the start of the week, they certainly realize it now.

Photo: Twitter/Red Sox