Yankees scout told Cervelli he was bound for coaching career

When he was a struggling minor leaguer in the New York Yankees' system, two scouts came into Francisco Cervelli's home and told him he had a future in the big leagues.

As a coach.

On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates inked the veteran catcher to a three-year extension, which will pay him $31 million and keep him in gold and black until 2019.

Shortly after the deal was announced, Cervelli wrote a piece on The Players' Tribune about the day a couple of gentlemen thought his playing days were numbered, and how his mother stood up for him.

In 2005, I traveled to the U.S. to play rookie ball. I was a backup and I batted .190 with one home run in 50 at-bats. I was scared to death that I would get released. One day in 2005 two scouts came to my house to talk to me. I was home with my mom and dad.

“We like you, Francisco,” one scout said. “And we think you have a big future.”

“… as a coach,” the other one said.

They wanted to release me. I always loved my mom’s reply. She told them, politely, No thank you.

“Give him another shot.”

You can never thank your parents enough.

Cervelli went on to talk about the challenges he's been through as a pro. From getting busted in the Biogenesis scandal to disabled list stints, Cervelli feels he's found a home in Pittsburgh.

"When I arrived here, people didn’t know who I was," he said. "But it didn’t take long for me to feel the love and respect that the people of Pittsburgh have. That’s why I am coming back."