Let me start off by saying this: I love Francisco Cervelli.
I love his game, love his heart.
He calls a better game than most guys who have been around much longer than him, and boy, is he swinging a hot bat right now.
But no matter how much I love Cervelli, he will have to wait his turn to be the New York Yankees' full-time backstop.
Because for now, it's Jorge Posada's job.
Why?
Because he deserves it.
He's hung in there. He's part of the core four. He's done so much for this team, and now, he is worthy of some respect.
Maybe it's because of his five World Series rings, or because of his 15 years (and counting) wearing pinstripes.
It could be the fact that he's one of the emotional and fiery leaders on the team, or just the fact that Yankee fans love, and have loved Posada because of everything he's done.
Yeah, he deserves it.
Because he can still do it.
He calls a great game, and is still one of the best hitting catchers in the majors.
In just 78 at-bats and limited time because of a calf injury this year, he's already hit five homers and six doubles with 12 RBI to go along with a decent .282 batting average.
He deserves it.
When I heard talk about Cervelli going full-time, I was a bit frustrated that some Yankees fans were practically dissing Posada after what he's done in the pinstripes.
Maybe I'm overreacting, but I was kind of wondering: Why?
Sure Cervelli's off to a hot start, but Posada has shown that he can still do it (and do it well) in limited time.
But no matter how much I love Posada and want him to catch forever, he's wearing down. Slowly, but gradually.
That's why it's only fair that he gets to extend his legacy now.
But when the sad day does come that he's done, it's very comforting to know that you have Cervelli to hopefully play the way he has been.
By the way, that Cervelli kid, he's hitting .408 with 24 RBI.
Very comforting, indeed.
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