The education of Francisco Cervelli
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- June
- 7
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Jose Molina was in uniform today, taking batting practice before the game to test his strained quad muscle.
Jose aggravated the strain running the bases in Florida last week but he is hopeful of being activated in 10 days or so. “It’s not as bad this time,” he said.
I asked Jose if he has been keeping track of Francisco Cervelli, who has done such a nice job of filling in for him.
“I’m so happy for that kid,” Molina said. “He has been working hard and it’s great to see it pay off for him. He has done great.”
Catchers are a tight-knit group and that is especially the case with the Yankees. Joe Girardi was a catcher and bench coach Tony Pena was one of the best defensive catchers ever. At spring training, you often see Pena and the catchers together, either doing drills or talking about the game.
Cervelli has been in camp for several years now and Pena, Posada and Molina have taken turns mentoring him. Pena keeps in close contact with minor league catching instructor Julio Mosquera to stay current on the kids he works with during spring training.
“I’ve been blessed,” Cervelli told me. “I’ve had a lot of great teachers. Jorge and Jose, they talk to me all the time and tell me what I should be doing. They want to do what’s best for the team and the pitchers. Tony talks to every day. He’s like my own coach sometimes.”
It tells you what a class guy Molina is to act that way. He will be a free agent after the season and the Yankees could well decide that Cervelli is ready to be Posada’s backup. But Jose is doing more than his part to get Cervelli ready.
Meanwhile, several people e-mailed to ask what the three stickers on Cervelli’s catcher’s helmet (see the photo) are for. Francisco said the initials represent the nicknames of the father, mother and sister back in Venezuela.
“They’re with me all the time,” he said.
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on Sunday, June 7th, 2009 at 8:44 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
ALL of those guys, Girardi, Pena, Posada, Molina, and Cervelli, are CLASS all the way!
I love Cervelli’s attitude and fire!
This kid will fill in quite fine for Jose next year. Jorge has bigger shoes, however.
Yankees should trade Molina at the deadline.
The Yankees did very well with Francisco filling in. The kid went from AA to everyday catcher for the Yankees. He was starting when this team turned it around. He might very well take over for Jose next year.
I wonder if Molina has thought about becoming a coach once his playing days are over. If so, the Yanks should think about retaining him. Given the premium on catchers, it would seem to be a very worthy hire.
Well, Cervelli certainly acts like he belongs. Let him stay until they figure out that he’s not supposed to be here.
He has been great. I like him. He works hard and earns it. Hes proved a lot to people. Who knows what will happen next year. Maybe the Yankees won’t re sign Molina to a deal and Cervelli will become back up.
As for Jose, if he’s willing to sign a one-yr. deal, I do it. Hard for catchers to stay healthy.
Top 17 AZ VS SD. They must be using starting pitchers at this point.
Cervelli’s always beaming. I love him.
I didn’t mention this in the post, but it seems like every woman I know who is a Yankees fan has a crush on Francisco. I told a writer friend that I was writing this post and she said dreamily, “Oh, those blue eyes.”
Ladies, is this true?
Rebecca,
You mean his laser eyes are always beaming?
So, Rebecca, what did you and those sitting around you think about Jeter bunting? Smart baseball move or waste of money?
Peter,
I’m a Cervelli fan because he seems like a terrific guy and has stepped up big time.
What do your lady friends think of Nady?
Well Pete it doesn’t hurt that he is cute, but more importantly he is a pretty good player.
Nice to see fans turn out for LA Dodger games. The team is in first place, has the best record in the league, and all I see is yellow. BTW why are the Dodgers seats yellow?
Hey Pete,
Can you find out what city in Italy Cervelli’s dad is from?
thanks
It’s true, his eyes are gorgeous.
Not true for me really. I couldn’t tell you what color his eyes are but I will admit his accent is quite nice.
As for his eyes, it might be a different story if I was up close to him as I am a sucker for the blue eyes.
Rays talk about their bullpen and the 8th inning today. Maddon says the big AB was Alex’s BB. I didn’t see the game but in skimming the game thread, it seemed like many here thought it was Robbie’s BB.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports.....008092.ece
Its true. My sister has a huge crush on him. Shes always talking about his eyes. girls….
and my girlfriend likes him too. Thats not good
jennifer
June 7th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Nice to see fans turn out for LA Dodger games. The team is in first place, has the best record in the league, and all I see is yellow. BTW why are the Dodgers seats yellow?
——————————————————-
I was at the Dodger game yesterday.
L.A. fans generally show up late and leave early. It’s just the culture out here.
Also, keep in mind that most people are watching the Lakers today.
I told a writer friend that I was writing this post and she said dreamily, “Oh, those blue eyes.”
Ladies, is this true?
==========================
His eyes are kinda dreamy
Good job so far Cervelli!
I can’t believe that SD/Arizona game is still going on.
I just read Tim Brown’s column, on Yahoo sports. He’s reporting that Mo was sick during Saturday’s game, spending time in the trainer’s room, vomiting. If true – no reason to think it’s made up – that would explain what happened.
One, I feel a bit relieved, now that there’s an explanation.
Two – Pete, if you’re reading this, any info on this?
Pete, get the girls a nice close up of these eyes! I can’t find a close shot of his face to where I can see the eyes.
Cervelli has pretty eyes but he also has great lashes which make them look more intense and pronounced.
Going to the bottom of the 17th. Still tied. Game started at 1pm local time.
Pete, if you’re going to throw raw meat to the Cervelli crushers, can we at least give more ad space to Lace & Stiletto?
BJK
Okay true, I forgot the basketball game was going on.
Thanks for the post, Pete. First of all, Cervelli always looks so determined -nice jaw!
Molina mentoring Frankie is similar to how Girardi mentored Posada; it’s extremely classy because in each case, the pupil is in essence being taught to replace the teacher. Frankie is lucky to have so many wonderful teachers (give lots of credit to Jorge as well), but he’s also an apt student and a hard-worker. He should make a very fine catcher in the big leagues, even if he’s “just” a back-up. The fact that he’s earned the trust of the veterans already (who praise him lavishly) speaks volumes for his ability.
ooops
Got one.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0.....o+Cervelli
Are they chanting Yankees suck? Or am I hearing things? (watching Phillies game v Dodgers.
Oh please Nick. The size of those girls is already too large as it is. People walk by my cube at work and look at me as if I have some sort of porn site up.
He’s got great eyes – also an expressive face and great smile. That, and the way he has approached his job, he’s won over quite a few – of both genders.
get it together Bastardo
he looks like hes being choked to death in that picture
Not me, Pete – my crush is also has blue eyes, but he’s not a catcher, lol
pete: You have no idea.
His eyes…are like…holy crap I’d hit that.
m: actually, my friends and I kind of expected Jeter to bunt, because of the GIDP danger.
Cervelli is very cute. His accent is a plus too. He’ll de-throne Jeter soon =)
Jennifer; It wasn’t you.
Christina
HAHA me too, I make the box really small for the site so it doesn’t show up.
Mo was sick? I wonder if he had the same bug that John Maine had……..not the one Beltran had since Mo seemed fine today………
Okay so why exactly are Dodger fans chanting Yankees suck? Really talk about obsessed!
I never thought Jeter was that attractive…
great baseball player? Yes. Smoking hot? Not really.
Hottest athletes are soccer/football players. Hot damn.
Cervelli’s eyes are piercing and mesmerizing. They make him hot for sure, but Markakis is still my man.
nick – don’t lie. tell the truth. You really didn’t get from Petaluma to Larkspur in one minute did you?
Maybe you have a jet. They are Always Handy.
Christina: You must have a big monitor at work. Those ads look much more tasteful on a laptop. Less danger of retina damage.
Going to the top of the 18th. What happens if they run out of players?
How am I the only girl who does not know about these eyes. Sigh..
James,
Booo…too soon after Carradine’s, uh, incident.
Going 18 in SD
“I never thought Jeter was that attractive…”
Rebecca, you might want to go get those eyes checked. Jeter is wicked hot and always has been. Alex is gorgeous as well (even with the pink lips).
DT: I wasn’t lying, I was just using Alternate Honesty.
“Cervelli’s eyes are piercing and mesmerizing. They make him hot for sure, but Markakis is still my man. ”
Yes you are right about his eyes but Kazmir is still my main man.
They make him hot for sure, but Markakis is still my man.
==============================
Markakis. Le sigh
http://i14.photobucket.com/alb.....1244424732
“Going to the top of the 18th. What happens if they run out of players?”
They won’t. The closers these days can throw 169 pitches. Just ask the Texas college coach.
Eh Markakis doesn’t do anything for me……
Wilson, SD’s SS is pitching.
“DT: I wasn’t lying, I was just using Alternate Honesty.”
That’s not a snake cult is it?
I’m glad Cervelli’s eyes can be discussed freely here.
I heard that on Kim J’s blog the topic is frowned upon.
Something about he got to the MLB on his ability not his looks. Those good looking peeps always stick up for each other.
It looks like the initials on his helmet is MMM (if I’m reading it clearly) I wonder why he doesn’t have an M name.
Kim Jong Il has a blog???
Wow did I pick a cool time to show up.
I’d like to take credit for being the first person here to mention Cervelli’s eyes! A paraphrase is that he has the kind of eyes that could talk you out of your clothes! But I actually always thought his eyes were green. Hmmm.
Mama mia those eyes!!!
Meanwhile I just did something that makes me:
1. brave
2. a coward
3. a hero
4. none of the above
5. all of the above
6. a combination of the above
I’m really not sure which. I was out today and just heard one score from the game. At that point it was 3-1. I had taped the game. When I got home, YES was still on – Michael Kay, Centerstage. Well across the bottom of the screen the only thing I caught was that both Joba and Garza ended up with No Decisions.
I actually watched the entire game from beginning to end to see how it ended rather than to look up the score!!!! I don’t know why I couldn’t bring myself to check. But for whatever reason, I coulodn’t do it. Well what joy to watch what I ended up watching! And then to hear Michael Kay say at the end that the Sox had lost. I was jumping for joy!!!
And since I live in NESN territory, I intend to watch the rewind of the Boston game later on. If Padilla ended up pitching that game for Texas, that’s an even bigger embarrassment to the Red Sox since they had put the guy on waivers just a few days ago!!!
Our first-place New York Yankees!!!!!
Betsy =
Imagine him in pinstripes. (Markakis, that is.)
“Kim Jong Il has a blog???”
yeah, but you lose stuff when you translate from Korean to English.
Aceves is quickly becoming a Girardi favorite. Gotta think he’s earned himself a 7th and 8th inning rule even when Bruney comes back, possible alternating them with Coke coming in as a lefty guy.
Further on in the season and towards the playoffs, when Joba inevitably moves to bullpen due to innings…we could have Aceves for 5th/6th, Joba for 7th/8th, and Mo.
That, my friends, is called SOLID.
RenataD June 7th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
It looks like the initials on his helmet is MMM (if I’m reading it clearly) I wonder why he doesn’t have an M name.
**********
It is funny cause I emailed Pete this question. Initially he told me it was the manufacture. I guess more people emailed to ask.
SD v AZ game now 9-6 will be interesting to see if AZ comes back and ties it. You know how it goes, you going inning without scoring than one team does and the other follows.
Nah, Doreen – I’m a one man woman and AJ is that guy for me. I think he has the most beautiful eyes ever…….When Tino was on the team, I had the biggest crush,lol. I never got that into Jeter because he was younger than I was and I thought if I crushed on him, I would be like a teeny bopper……..and I shuddered at that thought. The odd thing is, Jeter is only 3 years younger than I am, but AJ is 6 years….Maybe it’s the tattoos,lol
trisha,
From his postgame interviews, I don’t if you notice but both hid eyes look different in color. Maybe its my tv though. They do look more greenish
That said, if the O’s wanted to give Markakis away to us, I wouldn’t complain, lol
Betsy -
AJ does have nice eyes. Don’t care much for all the tattoos, but I have to say they are now so ubiquitous (love that word – my new favorite) I am getting used to them.
Interesting you should talk about having a crush on a younger player. I can like Cervelli’ eyes, think Markakis is gorgeous, etc., etc.. But Tony Pena is closer to my peer group! Hey, Tony Pena looks pretty darn good!
RenataD, I think they are definitely green also. I have stared into those eyes without blinking when Kim Jones has interviewed him, and those eyes are not blue. Either that or my television needs adjustment!
Betsy, AJ has nice eyes, but they aren’t nice enough to distract me from that face or the tats.
If it’s true that Mo was sick yesterday, should he even have pitched? No way, in my opinion, and I’m shocked the Yankees allowed him to.
Those don’t look like manufacturer’s stickers. They look like stickers people use on mailboxes.
maybe they’re like those buckeye stickers and such that college teams get for big plays.
Espn- Hello game just ended. Morons, wait to say something when the game is over.
“Hey, Tony Pena looks pretty darn good!”
Doreen, you mean Ramiro Pena right, not Tony Pena, right? Right?
Like someone else said, how come he doesn’t have an M name like the rest of his family? Maybe his parents wanted him to be different.
Betsy, if AJ goes into the bullpen you can see his eyes more often.
Laura -
Nope.
Pete don’t feel sorry for Molina,he and S. Duncan, because the St Louis Cardinals have both their brother on their team,and would be interested.
Angel Berroa is a hottie too.
Doreen June 7th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Laura –
Nope.
Oh, well, okay then.
Doreen, I kind of forgot that AJ was younger than I am……..but then, most players ARE (unless they are Jaime Moyer and ……..just no). I think he looks very cool with tattoos – maybe I’m attracted to that bad boy-turned-good persona. Normally I don’t like tattoos….just glad he got rid of those nipple rings.
Laura, I think AJ is a cutie even beyond his eyes (love his spiked hair, lol), but I guess different strokes for different folks. Pete reported that he’s been growing some sort of weird mustache – please, no AJ. I think I saw it recently and it looked like a smudge of dirt. I’d be fine if he was allowed to grow his cool, intimidating goatee from last year……
Christina -
Nah, he’s (Berroa) too old for me!
I will watch BBT because there were some really sweet defensive plays that I saw today. I would think that
Da Melk, and Tex, and Arod all deserve web gems!!!
I think this has to be Randy Wolf’s last day on my fantasy team. Her certainly isn’t pitching a bad game, but I have really been stung this season with promising pitchers who haven’t amassed a lot of wins: try Joba, AJ, and Cliff Lee. Add to it Randy Wolf, and between the lack of wins and WHIP the fantasy promise just has not been realized.
“Angel Berroa is a hottie too.”
Maybe on the Senior circuit.
what time does mike’d up come on tonight?
LOL Nick………but not really as Phil was put in the pen and look how often HE’s worked!
“Laura, I think AJ is a cutie even beyond his eyes (love his spiked hair, lol), but I guess different strokes for different folks.”
Betsy, don’t get me wrong. AJ’s not ugly. I just find his tats to be a bit unseemly. He also needs to smile more. Every time I see him, he’s pouting. He’s starting to remind me of Randy Johnson, which considering how ugly *he* is, isn’t a good thing.
Here’s the link about MO.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
Camoflage uniforms? Camoflage? Really?
Boy, the Padres are lost as a franchise. Throughout their history, they have had some awful looking uniforms.
Who in hell would imagine that Cliff Lee would have all of 3 wins at this point in the season? Certainly not me! His Ks are a good thing, and that’s what’s kept me from dumping him altogether.
Actually Wolf has had a quality outing by definition. I guess it’s not his fault the offense once again refused to show up.
Is Cervelli single? AJ is another one with those nice eyes but I think he’s married.
I wonder if Molina thinks about his contract coming to an end and the success of Cervelli. I like Molina. His bat sucks but not bad with defense.
# Christina – Pictures from the Scranton WB Game- Melancon and Shelley! June 7th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Angel Berroa is a hottie too.
****************
Only if you are half blind. :rolls:
Well how in the world did that happen?
Oh Pete Francisco is *an Italian stallion* good old fashion *eye candy*.
Renaata, AJ is definitely married. No idea about Cervelli.
anyone know what time miked up comes on tonite?
Really, Laura? He doesn’t smile on the mound (definitely is intense on days he pitches), but I find he’s smiling quite a bit – I don’t notice him pouting at all. He has a reputation (at least with Toronto – Florida days seem so long ago) as being extremely loose on days he doesn’t pitch. Also, I’m a person who doesn’t smile a lot if there’s no particular reason to smile. AJ has been a great teammate in many ways, so I’m not sure I get the comparison to RJ, who was……miserable. As I said, I’m normally not a fan of tatoos. Hey, we all have our preferences – no biggie.
Benny, I don’t even know what that is.
Benny, should come on around 11:35 EST…..
AJ is married with 2 kids…….
Benny, not sure. I dont get Miked up here.
But let me sum up the whole show for you. Jobber should be in the bullpen. blah blah blah Arroyo blah blah blah Andy Pettitte is a starter.
AJ is not a good looking man. But his eyes are very, very nice.
Can we talk about something else?
Oh and don’t forget Mike’s usual segment on how superior the Sox are – they are heads and shoulders above any team in baseball – they are pure as the driven snow, etc…….
thx betsy!
M, as I said before, different strokes for different folks. I don’t always go for the traditional look anyway…..
You’re welcome, Benny! I likely won’t be watching because I can’t stand how Mike hardly ever finds anything positive to say about the Yankees, so I will probably enjoy the play by play here, lol
mel, how about how Vincente Padilla stuck it to the Red Sox today? I just looked at the Box Score. Good job by Padilla. Maybe he got religion when he was put on waivers. I forgot to look to see if there were any HBP!
Well it’s been sweet hanging out with you all for a brief while. I have a heavy television night in front of me! Gonna watch the rest of the Phils game, then the west coast edition of the Tonys (I get both east coast and west coast national television with satellite), then the rewind of the Sox game, and then finally Baseball Tonight at 1:30 (which would actually make it Baseball Tomorrow!)
So I guess I will bid adieu and head to Taco Bell to get some dinner (I am a late nighter, obviously – plus I don’t cook.)
The Blog Master asked for comments about *the stud muffin*
*Francisco* ,and we responded.
*Willingly* !!
RenataD,
I’m sure every girl wants to know if he’s single or not.
(my wife whos sitting right next to me would like you to know that she loves your name)
trisha -
Don’t miss the beginning the Tony show.
Padilla is about to be fired,he’s on waivers and motivated.
Joe from Long Island
June 7th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Camoflage uniforms? Camoflage? Really?
Boy, the Padres are lost as a franchise. Throughout their history, they have had some awful looking uniforms.
They’ve always had those camoflage uniforms in support of the big military base there. I’m guessing they broke them out this weekend in remembrance of the 65th anniversary of D-Day. A relatively important day in world history.
Christina- It is funny. It think Tony Page was talking about how awful Bronson was last year despite his 15 wins. Was making a point that you can’t just look at wins to decide whether a pitcher is good or not. Said you can have a pitcher give up 1 run a game 5 straight games and not get a win, or a pitcher give up 5 runs a game and get five wins. That Bronson had a lot of runs scored for him. Said Joba didn’t get a win, but pitched pretty well today.
Mike must have been flipping. How dare someone diss my boyfriend.
Cervelli’s cute, but I’m still a Jeter girl…great question, Pete!
bastardo pitched another great game.
he got pulled after 5 giving up 2 runs.
The Padre’s wear the camo uni every Sunday, when they’re home.
Just to throw in my two cents on attractive ballplayers: Grady Sizemore. I love when we play the Indians for that reason.
bru,
watch your language!
It is indeed very classy for Molina to show Cervelli the ropes. Hopefully Jose will be as good as new when he gets back after rehabbing the injury.
Off topic, but the Giants are starting the Big Unit on three days’ rest tomorrow. I realize that he only threw 78 pitches against the Nationals on Thursday, but that could be a LOT to ask for out of a pitcher of Johnson’s age.
“I dont get Miked up here”
I hate that show. I’d rather listen to Kay ramble on and even thats hard
I can’t believe this ladies. You mean Jeter is going to have competition?
“I can’t believe this ladies. You mean Jeter is going to have competition?”
No Jeter is still Jeter. They both got gorgeous eyes. But my man is still Kazmir.
Randy Johnson is so sexy, I’d tap that!!! Brandon dont ya agree with me?
Always like Jeter’s image as a Yankee captain,but never hot for him the man, *he’s too loose for my taste* ,there’s things you can catch!!
Odds Francesa mentions Federer’s historic French Open win tonight? I put it at 0.1%.
Molina’s a good guy, and that’s nice. David Eckstein is also gritty. I love good guys and I love grit.
Trade Molina before the deadline.
“Trade Molina before the deadline”
How much value do you honestly think Molina has?
Jeter for me is all about baseball and not about the looks but horses for courses I guess.
I wonder if Mr. Cervelli is single?
His brother Yadier is adored by the Cardinals they may have interest.
Cervelli wont hit enough to even be a backup the league is figuring him out. He is the perfect third catcher or maybe a great bullpen catcher.
“Cervelli wont hit enough to even be a backup the league is figuring him out. He is the perfect third catcher or maybe a great bullpen catcher.”
Can I have what your smoking?
How could you ladies?? Look! He likes to go out and dress up like the Village people with his friends!
http://cache.daylife.com/image.....m/610x.jpg
When I think of how a rabbit, *jumps from hole to hole* ,
some how Jeter comes to mind~
RenataD,
Not much. But he’s bad news waiting to happen when your starting catcher is getting older and more injury-prone. Possible the worst offensive player in the league. I think the Yankees are better off with the kids.
lol sean thats the rookie hazing. You dont think Cervelli’s cute?
“Cervelli wont hit enough to even be a backup the league is figuring him out. He is the perfect third catcher or maybe a great bullpen catcher.”
Are you watching the right catcher?
I was only joking with that picture. I know it was a rookie hazing thing.
“Not much. But he’s bad news waiting to happen when your starting catcher is getting older and more injury-prone. Possible the worst offensive player in the league. I think the Yankees are better off with the kids.”
agree
Nice OP.
I think the smart thing would be to trade Cervelli before the deadline. His value has never been higher, but despite his excellent showing, his long term projection is still that of a backup catcher with a light bat. I would than resign Molina for another year allowing time for one of our other catching prospects to develope enough to move up. Catching is one of our strongest positions in the farm, and is a position that teams place a premium on. Cervelli might be able to bring us back a higher ceiling position player simply because he catches.
Would be a big mistake to let Molina go. I much rather trade Posada and his obscene contract if we can.
I know I am late in posting but had to add – Yeh Cervelli is a looker for sure! (And love him as a player too! He will prove to be a valuabl catcher for us!)
And someone mentioned Nady up there – I have to agree with that too – Nady is pretty hot lol
And I have to give mention to Arod as much as I hate to admit it – but he is very good looking as well – haha!
OK my 2 cents.
Yes, Cervelli is hot! And it is his attitude as well as his looks.
Hope the Yanks keep him. Posada is 37 and can’t have much time left behind the plate. Maybe another year at best and then to DH. If they want to keep Molina, Cervelli could go down to AAA for one year and then back up to start with Molina as back-up.
If Cervelli can keep his batting average above .260-270 he is your starter. He calls the game like a veteran, is good defensively, is a head’s up base runner, bunts well (!), etc. etc.
I think it is a non-issue anyway as either Posada or Molina will be on the DH again before the end of this season.
i Think francisco cervelli has a girlfriend…sorry girls… he has georgeous eyes … i think she is a spanish beauty.. she was at the yankees game this weekend… or was his sister? what do you now about tht pete?
“i Think francisco cervelli has a girlfriend…sorry girls… he has georgeous eyes … i think she is a spanish beauty.. she was at the yankees game this weekend… or was his sister? what do you now about tht pete?”
you saw her?
my sister did!..at least thats what she told me… im not sure about if she is his sis…that was my question…… she just said that she was very pretty and she looked spanish
“my sister did!..at least thats what she told me… im not sure about if she is his sis…that was my question…… she just said that she was very pretty and she looked spanish”
Oh man, I was hoping that you were going to say its just a rumor. Could be his sister. He is gorgeous. They’re always taken. bummer. Ramiro Pena is pretty cute
dont know ramiro…. is he dominican?… yes they r always taken! most of them are married ! dont know why they married so soon though
“dont know ramiro…. is he dominican?… yes they r always taken! most of them are married ! dont know why they married so soon though”
Pena is Mexican pretty cute, but Cervelli’s got those dreamy eyes