CC Sabathia took a detour Saturday afternoon on his way to the field from the visitor’s clubhouse at PNC Park. The New York Yankees starter hung a left to say hi to Ivan Nova, with whom he pitched in New York from 2010 to last season.
Relievers Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman followed. So did first base coach Tony Pena. Yankees staff touched his beard, the presence of which was a no-no in New York.
“It’s not growing!” Nova lamented.
Nova joined the Yankees organization July 15, 2004. His tenure ended with the Aug. 1 trade that brought him to Pittsburgh, a move that brought out the best in him.