Italy Names A Familiar Yankee Guy As Manager For The World Baseball Classic

 Ah, che bello! Casey, told me to make this with alittle Italian flair!

Francisco Cervelli has been named the manager of Team Italy, and as an unapologetically passionate Italian (and lover of all things Italian), We are BYB couldn’t be more thrilled about this news! The Italian Federation of Baseball and Softball made the announcement Friday, and let me tell you, Casey has been grinning ever since. Cervelli, for me, isn’t just another baseball guy—he’s someone I’ve admired for a long time as a person and seeing him take on this role feels like the perfect match. And let’s talk about the World Baseball Classic! It’s one of the most exciting baseball events, blending global pride with the sport we all love.

Cervelli, now 38, has a unique story that ties perfectly into this role. Born and raised in Venezuela, his roots reach back to Italy through his father, which is why he suited up for Team Italy as a catcher in both the 2009 and 2017 World Baseball Classics. And now? He’s back, this time as the skipper. Italy’s had another iconic former big leaguer at the helm before—Mike Piazza—but swapping in Cervelli feels like a fresh, inspired choice that I’m fully on board with.

Let’s rewind to Cervelli’s playing days for a moment. He signed with the New York Yankees way back in 2003, eventually making his MLB debut in 2008. Oh, and by 2009? He’d already earned himself a World Series ring. He stuck around in the Bronx through 2014, racking up a .278 batting average, 10 home runs, 92 RBIs, and a respectable .729 OPS in just 250 games. While he wasn’t a superstar, Cervelli always brought heart and hustle—qualities that I’ve admired about him since day one.

When the Pittsburgh Pirates picked him up via trade ahead of the 2015 season, Cervelli found a steadier rhythm. Over five seasons in Pittsburgh, he played in 450 games, hit .264, and added 26 home runs and 169 RBIs to his stat sheet. His defense and leadership behind the plate didn’t always show up in the box score, but they mattered. Trust me, as someone who loves every nuance of baseball, Cervelli’s presence on a team was invaluable.

He wrapped up his playing career with stints on the Atlanta Braves in 2019 and the Miami Marlins in 2020. By the end of his 13 MLB seasons, Cervelli had compiled a .268 batting average, 41 home runs, 275 RBIs, and a .740 OPS. Not bad for a catcher, huh? Oh, and did I mention he earned nearly $40 million in the process? Bravo, Francisco!

But here’s what I really love about this appointment: Cervelli’s passion and authenticity. He’s a guy who’s always worn his heart on his sleeve, and now he gets to channel that energy into leading Team Italy. The World Baseball Classic is such a special event because it brings together players from all corners of the globe, uniting them through their shared love of baseball and their heritage. And as a fan of every kind of baseball—from MLB to small-town little league—this is exactly the kind of story that gets me fired up.

So, amici, mark your calendars and get ready to cheer for Team Italy under the leadership of Francisco Cervelli. With his Italian pride, his years of experience, and his undeniable charisma, this feels like the start of something truly special. And as an Italian who’s already dreaming of pasta, pizza, and a WBC trophy in Italy’s future, We’re all in over here! OOOHHHH!

–Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor