Longtime MLB catcher Francisco Cervelli announced his retirement in an Instagram post today (h/t to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). Daniel Álvarez Montes of Elextrabase (Twitter link) was first with the news of Cervelli’s forthcoming announcement.
Signed by the Yankees as an international amateur from Venezuela in 2003, Cervelli broke into the big leagues as a September call-up five years later. He would go on to see big league action for New York every year from 2008-14 but only eclipsed 200 plate appearances in a season once. Following a 2014 trade to the Pirates for reliever Justin Wilson, Cervelli finally got an opportunity as a team’s #1 catcher. He made the most of it. In 2015, Cervelli hit .295/.370/.401 (117 wRC+) in 510 plate appearances while rating as one of the league’s premier receiving catchers.
Unfortunately, a worrisome series of concussions kept Cervelli from matching that lofty workload in the following seasons. Nevertheless, he generally continued to produce when healthy over the rest of his five-year Pittsburgh tenure. A miserable 2019 season eventually led to Cervelli’s release from Pittsburgh, although he did latch on with the Braves for their playoff run last season.
Cervelli signed a one-year deal with the Marlins last offseason and was thrust into the lineup when presumptive starter Jorge Alfaro went on the injured list. Even at age 34, he acquitted himself well, hitting .245/.355/.453 in 16 games. Unfortunately, another concussion (at least the seventh of his career) sent him back to the injured list in August. It soon became apparent he wouldn’t factor into the Marlins’ playoff push. Miami had already placed Cervelli on the 60-day IL, so today’s news won’t affect their roster status in advance of next week’s NL Division Series with the Braves.
This surely isn’t the way Cervelli would’ve wanted his career to end, but he noted in his announcement that “for the first time in a long time, I know my health and wellness needs to be the leadoff.” Despite his various injuries, Cervelli ultimately compiled a 13-year MLB career. He hit .268/.358/.382 with 41 home runs over 2618 plate appearances, a bit better than the league average hitter overall. Baseball Reference estimates he was worth approximately 14 wins above replacement, while FanGraphs pegs his career as worth 18 WAR. MLBTR wishes Cervelli the best in retirement.
Again.
Serious, best of luck, sir.
SeriousLY.
Good luck to him in retirment. Always felt awful for him with all of his concussions. Never like to see someone have head injuries like that, especially repeatedly.
Watch the first time the Rays plowed into him at the plate in a spring training game when he was just a rookie. He has taken quite a beating and has my respect. In 2009, he came up from AAA and gave the slumping Yankees a little spark until their regulars came back. He had a nice career…
So happy he made this decision for himself and his family. Let’s hope that serious damage has not already been done and he can live a long, healthy life from here.
Well said Dorothy!
It was time. He should be holding his head high, he played hard on every pitch.
Anytime a guy like this retires we have to ask was he one of the greatest catchers of the 21st century? (Thus far)
Easy no? He’s not even in the consideration. He was a solid player but he wasn’t even the best catcher in his team most of the time.
Lmao right , 41 career homers
Your point? Ozzie Smith only had eight home runs in his entire career and he’s one of the greatest to play the game.
No, we don’t have to ask it. He isn’t.
His peak of offense and defense was impressive but only had two seasons of at least 400 ABs. Can’t be considered one of the best of a generation when you are so banged up. You could say he is a fantastic “what if” he got consistent playing time and stayed healthy but the results simply were not there to be considered great.
Consistent production when healthy. Resilient moving in and out of starting roles from one season to the next.
Solid enough for teams without a catcher to comfortably sign Cervelli and depend on him to contribute in the majority of his team’s games when healthy.
Congratulations, Francisco… and good luck in your retirement.
Best of luck to him. Battling multiple concussions is tough.
He was great as a Yankee depth catcher because he always played with such fire. I liked to see him go to Pit only because he got to be a #1 catcher. Good player, good career, good guy – best wishes on your future endeavors, Cervelli.
And, no, he wasn’t even remotely close to one of the best catchers in any one year, let alone the 21st Century
I think I understand your point but geez “wasn’t even remotely close…in any one year “ I think that’s a bit harsh and inaccurate.
Yeah, I probably should’ve expounded instead of wording it so curtly. I see your point. I didn’t mean it to come across quite like that.
YC, you sir are the man!
So long, I enjoyed your cameo with the braves
I watched the Tampa Yankees play approx 15 years ago when he was there. I came home and mentioned he was the most impressive player on that team. The hustle and enthusiasm was very impressive. All the best.
I am glad that he finally made the right decision healthwise.
For some reason he was just prone to concussions as much as many football players.
No,he was not near the top of catchers in this century.
But if you just measure his heart and soul and enthusiasm he was clearly near.
As a lifetime Bucco fan I want to wish him well.He replaced Russell Martin and the Pirates did not suffer at all.
Best of luck Francisco.
it’s his decision. no decision is right here unless its his own.
I agree with you Darkside but that is why I added the word “healthwise”.
His head finally won out over his heart.
I feel good that he did this. I hope he has a long and healthy life. He was an enjoyable player to watch.
As a staunch Bucs fan, I was always very proud to have Francisco Cervelli on “my” team. What a competitor! Here’s wishing you a “vita bella” always, Francisco, and thanks for the memories!
im glad he chose to retire when he wanted to. the internet always screams that guys with frequent concussions should retire (see Jordan Reed) like its not the player’s choice when to do so.
As a long time RSox fan I wish you well in retirement. I enjoyed watching you call a game.
The concussions are nothing to discount–I’m sure with your wealth of baseball knowledge you will find a place in management. or broadcasting if that is your desire.
Thank you Amore for your time in Pgh. Between your commercials and your play, you were a top notch Bucco.
I hope for his sake that it lasts this time.. He said July of last year that he couldn’t live that way any more after taking a bat from Joc Pederson off of his mask for a concussion. Changed his mind a month later when he was due,to com off of the DL. Not enough reward for the risk anymore. Good luck and be,well Frankie!
He made about 40M as a player, and may not have an interest in managing or coaching. But he’d make a good one, IMHO. Always on the ball, and spoke intelligently about the game.
still hung around to enjoy the show. still though, after i see 5 moose on the highway i slow down.
This is very sad. I watched every Marlins game this year (since I’m stuck at home and I normally work nights). Cervelli is a big reason the Marlins found that early success. He had some big hits (2 major 3rHrs one tied a game in the 9th the other beat the Mets) and called amazing games. Now to not be playing with his team in the postseason must be very hard for him…I am sure that made retirement a serious choice he had to make. He always tried to come back but now I hope he finds the next chapter of his life. I could definitely see him coaching and managing. Best of luck to him
Nice mini run with the Marlins this season to end his career. Never good to go out on an injury but long term health is most important
Good player.
Good career.
Being slightly above average offensively as a catcher who was great with pitchers, called a very good game, and was pretty good overall defensively is impressive.
But, man.
“At least 7 concussions” – as Anthony Franco stated – is no joke.
Best wishes Francisco. Enjoy your time, health, & your family, man.
You earned it.
Loved him with the Braves. He was always so upbeat and enthusiastic. Best of luck!
Someone should take him on as a coach somewhere.
Bittersweet news. Happy that he can put a very successful career to rest but very sad to see a truly CLASS ACT leave the game.
Wife has a Yankees Cervelli jersey she got signed in San Diego when he was a member of the Pirates. A week later, we’re at Dodger stadium and Cervelli asks if he can sign the same jersey a second time. Trust me, he made a lifetime fan that day.
A class act. Nothing but the best of wishes to him and his.
Good guy, gave his all, excellent player and good caller behind the plate. All the best for the future.. I have nothing but respect for Francisco Cervelli.
Enjoyed having him in 2019 for our run. Wish him the best and a good recovery from his head traumas.
I think it is sad that he had to retire because of the number of concussions sustained throughout the years. He was a good baseball player that I liked.
Good luck to him. I hope the Marlins bring him in to coach our catchers. He was brought in to mentor Alfaro and give him rest, but thing worked against both of them this year – covid for Alfaro and concussion for Cervelli. Now we have Chad Wallach starting our playoff games.
Next year, no doubt the Marlins are in the market for a veteran catcher.
It’s pretty clear to me that while Cervelli may have been brought in to mentor Alfaro, Wallach has learnt a lot from him. Chad has grown a lot as a catcher this year, and from here it has the mark of Cervelli all over it.
Will the teams wanting to sign Cervelli as a catching coach, please form an orderly queue?
Thanks Francisco, its been a great pleasure watching you
It always amazes me that this type of consideration is given to players whose job is to play.
If Cervelli did indeed act as a coach to Wallach,and he may very well have,what were the actual catching coaches doing?
Coaches, coach. Teammates do, then talk about it. Hopefully it all adds up to better players.
@Mendoza Line 215, It’s like @UKPhil mentioned. The coaches do their jobs, but Cervelli is that extra that is actively showing by example as he plays, which is different than listening the the advice without limited showing from a coach who may not have the ability to show by example.
It all comes together when you have a vet like Cervelli to be there along with the coaches.
10-4- You both are saying that it closes the loop.
Yeah, pretty much. It’s like when you teach a classroom and have group classroom assignments, and your top students explain thing to the struggling ones in ways that help reach those students because peers bring the same message in a sort of translated message that brings the teacher’s message together.
Thanks Marlins and UKPhil
Too bad. Francisco Cervelli had one of the greatest names in baseball.
I guess the sad part here is he likely could still play, certainly as a BUC, if not for the concussions. Strange that it was a consistent issue, even going back to his days on the Yankees. Hopefully no long-term damage. Not uncommon for significant issues to arise years later.
Beyond that, probably a bit underrated by most fans. Even without much HR power in a game that today is built around power, he still was a better than league-average hitter. Very few catchers can say that. Decent bat with very good eye. Career .360 OBP. Good pitch framer for most of his career.
He appeared in 13 seasons, but service time wise he was s little short of 10 years coming into 2020. I almost wonder if that’s why he canceled his brief retirement and returned for one final season. Benefits max out at 10. Not sure if he made it though with the abbreviated season, although perhaps players who committed to play and were rostered were awarded a full season. No matter. He banked $40M. Not bad, I’d say, for a guy who was never considered a top prospect!
High energy and loved to play. Good luck to the Cisco Kid.
good guy (at least in public life), good ball player derailed by injuries shame the career was cut short.
Hopefully he stays in baseball at some level if for no other reason than his facial expressions.
Best Wishes!