Photo gallery: Francisco Cervelli’s passion for baseball made him a fan favorite
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli salutes his teammates in the dugout at the start of a game against the Brewers Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
New Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli arrives at Pirate City Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, in Bradenton, Fla.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli works out in the bullpen Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli takes the field at the start of a game against the Braves Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli goes airborne to throw out the Marlins’ Dee Gordon during the seventh inning Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli reacts after tagging out the Rockies’ Dustin Garneau during the seventh inning Friday, May 20, 2016, at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli is filmed for a segment of "That’s Amore" for upcoming season on the PNC Park scoreboard Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
The Pirates’ Francisco Cervelli scores the winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning against the Reds Saturday, April 6, 2019, at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates fans Claire Maxwell of Latrobe and Liz Holmes of White Oak take a selfie with catcher Francisco Cervelli during Fanfest before a game against the Indians Sunday, July 5, 2015, at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli talks with Manny Sanguillen in the bullpen during a workout on Feb. 19, 2016, at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli laughs at the end of practice Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli hams it up with Josh Harrison during team photo day before a game against the Padres Wednesday, Aug.10, 2016, at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli gets a curtain call after his fourth inning grand slam against the Cardinals in the first game of a double header Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli takes the field from the dugout during a game against the Red Sox Thursday, March 23, 2017, at jetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli stretches in the on-deck circle during the first inning against the Brewers Sunday, April 17, 2016, at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli loses his bat as he reacts to an inside pitch during the season opener against the Red Sox Monday, April 3, 2017, at Fenway Park in Boston.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli loses his bat, as he is brushed back by an inside pitch during the third inning against the Braves Friday, April 7, 2017, at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli celebrates his two-run homer during the third inning against the Cubs Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen laughs with catcher Francisco Cervelli during batting practice on Wild Card work-out day Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015, at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli and closer Felipe Rivero walk from the field after a morning workout Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez celebrates with catcher Francisco Cervelli after defeating the Cubs Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli carries a bouquet of flowers to the dugout before a game against the Braves Saturday, April 8, 2017, at PNC Park.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli signs autographs outside the bullpen after playing against the Red Sox Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage talks with catcher Francisco Cervelli in the bullpen Sunday, March 1, 2015, at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli tips his helmet to the dugout before catching a spring training game against the Red Sox Friday, March 25, 2016, at jetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla.
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From the day he arrived at Pirate City for spring training in 2015, Francisco Cervelli has been one of my favorite players to photograph in my 30 years of covering the Pirates.
Cervelli brought a unique passion to the game in Pittsburgh and charmed fans of all ages during the past five seasons at PNC Park. Cervelli, who has been injury plagued throughout his career, was released by the team Thursday.