Graveman reunites with mentor Chavez

OAKLAND -- Kendall Graveman, a lifelong learner, has a laundry list of mentors in the game. The A's pitcher, now himself a leader in the making at age 27, has sought advice from all sorts of notable names. Greg Maddux, Roy Oswalt, Barry Zito, Scott Kazmir and Sonny Gray are among them.

Then there's Jesse Chavez. Without fail, Graveman always mentions Jesse Chavez.

View Full Game Coverage

The former teammates reunited on Monday: Graveman will face Chavez's Rangers in a start on Tuesday; Chavez will be in Texas' bullpen during the four-game series.

Perhaps no one had a greater influence on an impressionable Graveman during his trying rookie season than Chavez, the unassuming vet. A 42nd-round…