BRADENTON, Fla. — When catcher Francisco Cervelli saw big right-hander Ivan Nova bouncing around the clubhouse Monday, the day pitchers and catchers reported for their physicals at Pirate City, it awakened this memory. About a decade ago, when Nova and Cervelli were pups in New York Yankees camp, Nova followed veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte everywhere.
Wherever the five-time World Series champion Pettitte went, Nova went. The 6-foot-5 kid from San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, sought greatness, so he followed in its footsteps.
“That was his mentor,” Cervelli said Monday. “That was his veteran. I think what he learned over there in New York, he can do the same here.