The Rookie

Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot! This is probably one of the many ways you’ll hear me describe Francisco Cervelli. As one of the newest additions to the New York Yankees, he’s been working really hard to make his teammates proud. He’s been a part of the team since 2008, but has really made an impact this year. Cervelli covered for Molina when he was hurt earlier in the season. He has proved to be an amazing catcher and personally, I love the way he sets up behind home plate. It was a sad moment for all when he was sent back down to the minors in June. His absence wouldn’t last long, though. He was called back up in September again when the rosters expanded for all MLB teams.

This would greatly benefit the Yanks, as they found out this past Wednesday. Lately, I find myself talking to dedicated fans who have suddenly given up on the Comeback Kids and expect them to lose if they don’t take the lead right away.

Gaudin was the starter that night and he did pretty good, but he gave up three runs. At least he wasn’t as bad as my good ol’ friend Brian. Bruney hadn’t even gotten to the mound yet and had already given up a run (*not being literal, but you get me). By the bottom of the 8th, the score was TOR 4 – NYY 2. My Twitter friends were already getting ready to shut the tv off and hit the hay or had already done so.

Then, Matsui came up to the plate and decided it wasn’t over for the Yanks. So with Alex on base, he hit the game-tying homerun. This is when I made my walk-off prediction/wish. Bottom of the 9th now and Brett’s already gotten to first base, stolen second and proceeded to third with a little help from Jete. Cervelli was up next. Just the man I was waiting for…

BAM! Where had the ball gone? Past a diving Aaron Hill and onto the grass in LF. Gardner scores. There’s the 14th walk-off win for the Yanks! The most in MLB this season. Cervelli rounded first and kept running as he was chased down by Cano, Melk, Edwar, and the rest of the gang. He looked like a little boy running from his teammates. It was one of the cutest things I had ever seen, next to the Phillies fan giving his daughter the foul ball he had  caught.

Cervelli just has this innocence about him <3 and when he was interviewed by Kim Jones afterwards, you can see how truly grateful he is to be wearing pinstripes. I love it. So after a stressful night for us fans, Gardner and Cervelli both made sure we had a sigh of relief and that I was screaming at the top of my lungs.

-’Til later on tonight bloggers!