Luis Severino, the 24-year-old native of the Dominican Republic, was a lifelong fan of the boys in Pinstripes, idolizing fellow Dominican and former Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano.
Sevvy was very close to becoming a member of the Colorado Rockies — this after his agent advised him to turn down an initial offer from the then Florida Marlins. As Severino’s friends and family began purchasing Rockies’ gear, the phone rang.
On the other line was the Yankees, expressing interest in the young pitcher. Severino soon jumped on the offer and joyfully proclaimed to his family that he was instead now a member of the most storied franchise in baseball history.