Red Sox's Napoli considered retiring due to sleep apnea

Mike Napoli has quickly become a fan favorite in Boston since signing with the Boston Red Sox in 2012, but the veteran first baseman revealed some shocking news at the team's Winter Weekend event Saturday.

Napoli told reporters his sleeping disorder escalated to the point it caused him to seriously consider retirement.

The 33-year-old underwent bimaxillary advancement surgery in November, which involved moving his lower and upper jaw forward to correct breathing and congestion problems.

Napoli, who has suffered from the condition for the past eight years, said he's left games on numerous occasions due to dizziness from not sleeping.

Napoli was happy to report, however, that he's now sleeping regularly after the procedure, but doesn't have any feeling in his lips, a side effect that could last up to a year.

The slugger hit only 17 home runs and drove in 55 runs, his lowest output since 2008 when he appeared in only 78 games for the Los Angeles Angels. Red Sox fans are hoping a rested Napoli in 2015 can greatly improve upon those numers.