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Every Yankees fan, including myself, idolized Derek Jeter. He was the country's favorite player. Now, young fans are doing the same with Aaron Judge. However, you always will have another favorite besides the star or captain, and mine was Robinson Canó. One of my first jerseys as a kid, and one of the few pieces of memorabilia that I rock in my office.
I love his No. 22, but appreciated him giving up for Clemens return. What a guy. After his rookie season in '05, Canó began to cement himself into what would be one of the best infields of all-time. His nine years in New York resulted in 204 homers and a .309 batting average. He had one of the smoothest lefty swings in all of the game, and it was meant for the short porch.
His accolades while in pinstripes proved his dominance. A 5x All-Star with the Yanks, including 5 Silver Sluggers and 2 Gold Gloves. He of course was a key piece to the Yankees 27th title, one that we have to hold near and dear until they clinch their next.
Seeing your favorite player grow with the team, win with the team, move on from the team, and digress on different teams is happy / sad.
I was pissed the Yankees didn't sign re-sign him and he took the bag with the Mariners.
Canó was offered a seven-year, $175 million contract to return to the Yankees, but he turned it down in search of a longer deal. I understand, go get your bag, but I was pretty mad that he left and the Yankees didn't leverage any further. Canó signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Mariners instead. Hindsight is 20/20 anyway.
I was a little annoyed when the Mets got him in a trade.
The marquee piece of the trade was Edwin Diaz, but Cano came back to New York, for the opposite borough. He still had some pop in his bat, after hitting 107 home runs and batting .296 in five years with Seattle. His first at bat was a home run of Max Scherzer. I thought the revitalization tour was back on.
I was bummed when he got suspended.
I brushed over his first suspension that happened in 2018. He got knocked for 80 games after testing positive for Lasix, a PED that is in violation of the MLB's policy. Before that suspension, he was still cruising, batting a line of 303/.374/.471.
Things got worse after injuries starting hindering his performance. He sadly fell back and was suspending again in 2020. After testing positive for Stanozolol, and now a repeat offender, he missed the entirety of the 2021 season with a 162 game suspension.
I was then upset when his performance tailed off.
The universal DH was put into place, and I was looking forward to watch him rake. However, the Mets felt otherwise after 41 at bats, and a .195 average. He was DFA'd, and later picked up by the Padres. Things got very much worse. In 12 games, he was batting a mere .094 with 10 strikeouts in 34 plate appearances. They released him, and he had nowhere to go. A week went by and he rejoined their AAA team, the El Paso Chihuahuas.
I thought this was the end for Cano. Throwing the man in the minor leagues and slapping as SpongeBob jersey on him was the epitome of washed up.
Just when we thought it was over, the Atlanta Braves continued his story. They acquired Cano in a minor league deal for cash considerations with the San Diego Padres. Honestly, it's a no-brainer move for the Braves. All-Star Ozzie Albies is out for a while after foot surgery, and the Braves are just a mere 1.5 games back in the AL East (Frank was Right).
Also, the Mets cut ties with Canó earlier this season, owing him nearly $45 million remaining on his original contract signed with Seattle. Now he will face them tonight. What a Money Ball move.
I'm hoping he gets a little spark the next couple weeks that keeps his story going. I also hope he repeats history and hits one off Scherzer yet again and flips the birds to Uncle Stevie. But I also hope that he gets back on the wagon and have fans remember the once great Dominican Super Star. I'll be rooting for Robbie today and always.