(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photos by WBSC & Henk Seppen)
 Francisco Cervelli succeeds Mike Piazza as Manager of Italian Baseball Team
Nederlands
...Francisco Cervelli as player of Italy during...
...the 2017 World Baseball Classic...
(© Photo: WBSC) |
  RIMINI / ROME (Italy) -
Francisco Cervelli is the new Manager of the National Baseball Team of Italy, the Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) announced on Monday (January 27).
Cervelli succeeds former longtime Major League-player and Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, whose contract expired on December 31.
Like Piazza, Cervelli has played in the Major League.
In the announcement, it was stated that Cervelli was appointed on Friday (January 24) during a board-meeting of the FIBS at CON-X 2025 in Rimini.
CON-X is the abbreviation of the 10th Convention of the FIBS.
The annual event is organized by the Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball, which brings together coaches, umpires, scorekeepers, athletes, managers, administrators and enthusiasts to discuss with Italian and international speakers the latest news, strategies and developments to the disciplines.
The Convention was held for the fourth time in the Palacongressi in Rimini (January 24-26).
The program of the Convention included Technical workshops (theoretical and practical insights into playing techniques, training and athletic preparation for baseball, softball and Baseball5), Thematic seminars (crucial themes of the psychological approach to the game and the 360° involvement of the environment that surrounds boys and girls, including families), Technological innovations (presentations on the latest technologies applied to baseball and softball) and Round tables (open discussions with the speakers on current issues and the future of the disciplines).
Besides the appointment of Cervelli, more National Team Managers were confirmed on Friday.
Former National Team-players Guglielmo Trinci and Giuseppe Mazzanti respectively will lead the U18 and U15 teams.
Stefano Burato will head the U12 team.
Former National Team Manager Gilberto Gerali was named Technical Coordinator for the Elite and U23 categories.
Former National Team-player Gianguido Poma will coordinate the U18 and U15 teams.
Last year, Poma was the Manager of Italy during the Baseball Week Haarlem in Haarlem (Netherlands).
The 38-year old Francisco Cervelli (Italian father, Venezuelan mother) was born in the city of Valencia in Venezuela, where he also was raised.
Like his predecessor Mike Piazza, Cervelli also is a former Major Leaguer.
And like Piazza, he is a former catcher.
Cervelli played in 13 Major League-seasons.
He made his debut in 2008 when he played in three games for New York Yankees.
Cervelli played for New York through 2014 as back-up catcher, appearing in 250 games, including 93 during the 2010 season.
In 2009, New York won the World Series against Philadelphia Phillies, but Cervelli didn't come into action.
He had appeared in one game in the preceeding American League Divisoon Series and American League Championship Series.
In November 2014, Cervelli was traded to Pittsburgh Pirates, for whom he played in 2015-2019 and became a more regular player, appearing in 100 or more games in three of his seasons, including 130 in 2015.
In August 2019, Cervelli was released by Pittsburgh, but two days later, he signed with Atlanta Braves, where he appeared in 14 games in the remainder of the 2019 season.
Being a Free Agent after the 2019 season, Cervelli signed with Miami Marlins in January 2020.
During the 2020 season, Cervelli appeared in only 16 games of the Major League-team of Miami.
He was Free Agent again after the 2020 season, then announced his retired shortly thereafter.
In 13 Major League-seasons, Cervelli played in 730 games and collected 605 basehits, including 41 homeruns.
He scored 281 runs, batted in 275 and finished with a .268 batting average.
In 2009 and 2017, Cervelli played for Italy during the World Baseball Classic.
In 2022, he was the Catching Instructor of San Diego Padres.
In February 2024, Cervelli replaced Belgian coach Steve Janssen in the staff of Team Europe for the Global Baseball Games against Japan.
Current FIBS-President Marco Mazzieri was the Manager of Team Europe.
In a press release by the FIBS, published on January 27, Cervelli said:
,,It is a great honor for me to be appointed the manager of the Italian National Baseball Team.
Since 2017, when I played my last World Baseball Classic, I have carried a mission in my heart: to help elevate Italy as a reference point for elite baseball in Europe.
With humility and gratitude, I want to thank the Italian Baseball Softball Federation for giving me this incredible opportunity.
Representing Italy is not just a responsibility, but a dream come true.
Wearing this iconic uniform again fills me with pride, and I am ready to work tirelessly to lead this team and inspire future generations of Italian players''.
New FIBS-President Marco Mazzieri (himself a former Team Italy Manager) also is quoted in the announcement.
He said:
,,The appointment of Francisco Cervelli as the head of the National Baseball Team was a well-considered decision, being aware of the need to immediately start a growth process after the disappointing ninth place at the last European Championship.
Cervelli has all the skills to lead our National Team.
In addition to his international experience and technical knowledge, he knows how to establish an excellent relationship with athletes of all ages, motivating them and bringing out the best in each of them.
When I proposed this role to him, I was struck by his contagious enthusiasm, his 'hunger for the field', and his determination to bring our movement back to the top''.
In the announcement, Mazzieri added:
,,I would like to deeply thank Mike on behalf of the whole Federation for contributing to the growth of the entire Movement as a player, ambassador, and coach.
Our intention was to meet and discuss together what role he could play in the future, but despite several attempts, we never received a response other than his desire to take other directions.
We therefore wish him the best of luck in his future challenges''.
...Mike Piazza (right) with then-Manager and current...
...FIBS-President Marco Mazzieri celebrating winning...
...the title with Italy at the 2012 European Championship...
...in Rotterdam (Netherlands)...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen) |
Cervelli's predecessor Mike Piazza was Manager of Italy since November 2019.
He was to lead the team during the 2020 European Championship and 2021 World Baseball Classic, but the events were both cancelled due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
Later in 2021, Italy finished in third place in the European Championship, which was organized on home-soil in the Piedmont-area.
In 2022, Piazza was with the Italian team during the Baseball Week Haarlem in Haarlem (Netherlands).
He then missed the first two games, due to commitments in New York, where he attended the ceremony of the retirement of the uniform-number of Keith Hernandez.
In his first game in Haarlem, Piazza led Italy to a 5-3 win against Curaçao.
In 2023, Piazza was the Manager when Italy reached the Quarter Finals of the World Baseball Classic, but then was eliminated after a 9-3 loss against Japan.
But later that year, Italy experienced a disappointing European Championship in Czechia, finishing in ninth place.
In 2024, Italy again participated in the Baseball Week Haarlem.
During this event, Piazza was not able to be with the team, due to other commitments in the United States.
Instead, former player Gianguido Poma led the team as Manager.
Earlier, Piazza was the Italy's Hitting Coach during the World Baseball Classic in 2009 and 2013 after having played himself for Italy during the first edition in 2006.
Piazza also was Italy's Hitting Coach during the World Championship in 2009 and the European Championship in 2010 and 2012, which both were won by Italy.
In his 16-year Major League-career (1992-2007), Piazza played for Los Angeles Dodgers (1992-1998), Florida Marlins (1998), New York Mets (1998-2005), San Diego Padres (2006) and Oakland Athletics (2007).
Piazza played in 1,912 games and produced 2,127 basehits, including 427 homeruns and batted in 1,335 runs, was the Rookie of the Year in the National League in 1993 and was selected for twelve All-Star Games.
Piazza's unifform number 31 is retired by New York Mets (in 2016), who earlier elected him into the club's Hall of Fame (in 2013).
In 2016, Piazza was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
(January 27)
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