Helped by a young girl, Francisco Cervelli gets to "Shine."

Early in the day yesterday, Yankees backup catcher Francisco Cervelli made a visit to Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan. Yankees players and staff members often make visits to the hospital and meet some of the patients. Cervelli was joined by Yankees backup infielder Ramiro Pena yesterday.

Cervelli, starting in place of the injured Jorge Posada, met a young girl named Jane. The young girl gave a gift to the Yankees catcher. The gift of a thin bracelet ended up defining his night. On this bracelet was the word, “Shine.”  That is just what Cervelli did last night in the Yankees 4-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

The catcher did it all on this night. He contributed with his bat, as well as his glove. Cervelli and Yankees starting pitcher A.J. Burnett worked a gem. Always an energetic player, Cervelli seems to rub off on his teammates.

“He came to the mound a couple of  times,” Burnett said, “and I can’t help but smile at what he says.”

Offensively, Cervelli was 3-for-3 on the night, including his first career triple as well as a bunt single. Jane had asked Cervelli for a home run, but I think she will be just as happy with these results. He also scored two runs.

His glove came in handy on this night as well. Orioles DH Garrett Atkins his a foul pop up toward the Yankees dugout. Cervelli raced over to the railing, reaching out and catching the ball. As he caught the ball he fell over the dugout railing, but held on fo the out.

Despite his great game, Cervelli could not help but look into his locker after the game and see a “Thank You” drawing he received from the children at Mount Sinai. He had hung the drawing in his locker as a reminder.

“That’s more pleasure than anything else,” he said with a smile.

Francisco Cervelli will surely experience many great nights in his career, but he dedicated this one to the young children he met earlier in the day.

“It was a special day. I love the kids, and I love seeing their smile,” Cervelli said. “This night is for all those kids.”

This young catcher does his best day in and day out, loves his role on the team and plays the game the way everyone should. When he gets his chances to play, he continues to “Shine.”