Lush landscape, beautiful beaches and pristine settings—that’s what Naples is known for. What can be surprising is who might be lunching on the other side of the restaurant, or dropping by Wynn’s Market for a last-minute ingredient. Many of these notables chose Naples because of its quiet beauty and the ability to fly under the radar. We introduce 10 interesting, and possibly surprising, neighbors.
Pitch Man
Chris Resop | Major League Pitcher
Every boy imagines making it to the big leagues. For Naples native Chris Resop, relief pitcher for Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates, that boyhood dream is now reality. “I have wanted to be a professional baseball player ever since the first grade,” says Resop, now 29, and pitching his first full season in the bigs since being drafted in the fourth round by the Florida Marlins in 2005. Predominantly a power pitcher, Resop relies on his fastball when facing the batter. “I go right after guys,” he says. “I am not a finesse pitcher, trying to paint the corners of the plate; I’m aggressive with my fastball.” Resop was claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Braves by the Pirates in August 2010, and has helped bring the Bucs a winning record as of the All Star break this season, the first time the Pirates have been above .500 at the break since 1992. Resop attributes this to the solidarity of the team and its “not in our house” mentality. “We’re playing for 27 outs. Teams are not going to walk in here and walk all over us, it’s going to be a battle.” Off the field, Resop has been making strides in the community, working with the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and the Make a Wish Foundation. He makes a trip to the hospital every home stand, signing autographs, talking with the kids, anything to brighten their day. That’s something he and his wife, Kara, hope to continue in the Naples area during the offseason. “Anytime I can help out these little kids, put a smile on their face, is huge.” For now, Resop takes the mound, throwing heat and hoping for outs. “Our goal all year is to make the playoffs. Whether that happens or not, time will tell; it is a long season.”
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