Venezuelan-Italian pitcher leads Italy to WBC championship victory!
This is a fascinating clash of heritage.
Francisco Cervelli is from Venezuela, but he's managing Italy in the WBC originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Francisco Cervelli finds himself in an unexpected bind on Monday night.
The long-time MLB catcher is managing Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic semifinals. But the opponent is Venezuela, which is where Cervelli is from. The whole scenario actually makes sense when you break it down, but it's a fascinating conundrum on paper.
MORE: Vinnie Pasquantino has the best nickname Where is Francisco Cervelli from? Cervelli was born and raised in Venezuela, according to MLB. com .
He was signed when he was 16 years old by the New York Yankees as an international signing from Venezuela, and he went on to have 2,256 MLB at bats and win a World Series. MORE: Mason Miller is on an unbelievable 272-pitch streak Why is Francisco Cervelli managing Italy in WBC? Cervelli has Italian roots from his father, writes MLB.