Robinson Cano Answers Critics

September 2, 2008

By DailySkew

The Internet message boards, stat freaks, Michael Kay, Jim Palmer, Gary Thorne, heck, even John Sterling have been ALL over Robinson Cano this year for 8 reasons:

1) He didn’t bat his usual .330 this year.
2) He makes errors on nationally telecasted games.
3) There’s an infamous youtube video of him partying with Melky Cabrera.
4) His criticism has always been that he looks “laid back” or lackadaisical.
5) He likes to swing at the first pitch.
6) Larry Bowa was his motivator, so the perception is that Cano is a baby that needs to be yelled at.
7) He got a $30 million dollar extension.
The Yanks will not get the 2008 Wild Card.
9) The MEDIA said that he “dodged” them by sneaking out of the clubhouse after an error.

Yes, folks, I’ve heard or read all of those criticisms.

There is something about Cano (only when he’s struggling, of course) that brings out hatred from Bronx fans. I won’t speculate what that is, but I can honestly say he’s always come across as a NICE GUY who tries hard. He’s funny and is in good spirits. English is his second language, so there may be some communication or culture issues the MEDIA has with him. He reminds me of a funnier version of Alfonso Soriano when he was playing base in NY.

In terms of these 9 issues being brought up to Cano, it has only been recently. He said he hasn’t changed his approach at the plate, that’s he always been aggressive and got tons of 1st pitch hits last year.

Here’s his quote on leaving the clubhouse before the MEDIA attacked him:

“People think I just left because I didn’t want to talk to the media; that wasn’t it at all. I would rather talk to you when I make an error than when I’m swinging good. Why wouldn’t I want to talk to you? I’m there every day.”

Here’s his response to his game game being changed because of his extention- something that was stated as a FACT by Michael Kay:

“People say it is because I got my contract, but I made the same kinds of mistakes in my first few years. Sometimes, I forget I even have the contract. I still see myself as a young guy, as a rookie. I don’t see myself on the level of guys like Jeter, Giambi or A-Rod. I’m the guy that has to keep fighting, to get better every day.”

And his reaction to making errors (something EVERY player does):

“I don’t want to make errors; I want to be perfect. But things happen in the game. People say that I’m not focused, but this stuff happens in games. I’m not going to be the first guy or last guy it happens to.”

So there you have it…the next time you hear someone saying Cano isn’t trying hard, I think you should consider his side of the story. I don’t know how educated Cano is, but he is a kid, and I think people are judging him because of that. I know that Latin American Yankees scouts actually didn’t give him and his family his full signing bonus (they tricked him). So give the kid a break.