Seeing Robinson Cano come up with the New York Yankees in 2005, at age 22-years old, playing on along side with such all-stars as Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi; in a time where the Yankees needed a young spark for the teams' struggles, in early May. And it was odd seeing this young, deer-in-a-headlights kid come up to save the season with an already veteran, high priced team.
Ever since that day Cano debuted, on May 3rd, 2005, we saw a kid, before our very own eyes, turn into a superstar. A star we did not see coming. Cano came in 2005 and blew the doors open. He took Tony Womack's job at second base and basically said: 'You ain't having it back.'
We heard so much hype on players before coming up to the big leagues -- players like Eric Duncan, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain. We didn't hear much about Cano when he was in the minors. All we heard was that pushed up to Triple-A so that the Arizona Diamondbacks scouts can see him and be interested in acquiring him for Randy Johnson, back in 2004. Imagine if Cano would've gotten trade for Johnson...
Right way, right after Cano's debut, we new he was going to be special. Reason for that was because the way carried himself; he was 22 but acted like he was 32. Very unshaken from the bright lights and big situations he was put in, as a rookie playing for the Yankees.
In the beginning of the 2005 postseason against the (then) Anaheim Angels, he came through with a ton of clutch hits. I remember his first postseason at-bat like it was yesterday. It was two-outs, with the bases loaded, first inning against the Angels game one starter Bartolo Colon. It was a 3-2 count, Cano kept fouling pitches off, but at the end hits a fastball to the opposite field, for a bases clearing double. I remember seeing Garret Anderson falling as he failed to attempted the catch.
Joe Buck's call on that double: "All runners will come home from the rookie's double to left; Robinson Cano has delivered for New York."
His opposite field power caught everyones attentions. The way Cano sprays the ball to left, is a thing beauty. Because of that, people began comparing him to Rod Carew.
But in December 6th, 2013, eight years later, that Yankee career, that could've been a legendary one, is over. Why? Because of money.
Today, as you may know, Cano signs with the Seattle Mariners to a 10-year, $240 million dollar contract. Leaving his homegrown team for the very first time.
When we all started hearing rumors about Seattle making a major push, I didn't think much of because I didn't think Cano would go to Seattle. No one goes from winning and making the playoffs every year in New York with the Yankees, to sign with Seattle. It's unheard of. Until this morning when it became a reality.
It's amazing how Cano never really cared about being a Yankee. And I can say that, because the Yankees did offer him $175 million -- that's $25 million per year. That's A-Rod money. But Cano felt that offer wasn't enough. He needed $60 million more. Instead, he rather live in Seattle for $23 million a year for ten years but won't live in New York City for $25 million per year for seven years and grow a tremendous legacy with the Yankees.
It's crazy to think that Cano won't even have a plaque a monument park. Sad. Ruined a legacy that could've made him the greatest Yankee second baseman of all-time, just for $60 million more. Again -- sad.
Anyway you put it, it's a sad day in Yankee-land. I'm only 25-years old and I never even seen Derek Jeter debut. But I did see Cano come up as a Yankee -- now I won't get to see him retire as a Yankee.
Goobye, Cano. Thank you for the eight great years. And I don't think we'll ever find a second baseman like you because you will be, at the end, the greatest second baseman who ever lived.
Right way, right after Cano's debut, we new he was going to be special. Reason for that was because the way carried himself; he was 22 but acted like he was 32. Very unshaken from the bright lights and big situations he was put in, as a rookie playing for the Yankees.
In the beginning of the 2005 postseason against the (then) Anaheim Angels, he came through with a ton of clutch hits. I remember his first postseason at-bat like it was yesterday. It was two-outs, with the bases loaded, first inning against the Angels game one starter Bartolo Colon. It was a 3-2 count, Cano kept fouling pitches off, but at the end hits a fastball to the opposite field, for a bases clearing double. I remember seeing Garret Anderson falling as he failed to attempted the catch.
Joe Buck's call on that double: "All runners will come home from the rookie's double to left; Robinson Cano has delivered for New York."
His opposite field power caught everyones attentions. The way Cano sprays the ball to left, is a thing beauty. Because of that, people began comparing him to Rod Carew.
But in December 6th, 2013, eight years later, that Yankee career, that could've been a legendary one, is over. Why? Because of money.
Today, as you may know, Cano signs with the Seattle Mariners to a 10-year, $240 million dollar contract. Leaving his homegrown team for the very first time.
When we all started hearing rumors about Seattle making a major push, I didn't think much of because I didn't think Cano would go to Seattle. No one goes from winning and making the playoffs every year in New York with the Yankees, to sign with Seattle. It's unheard of. Until this morning when it became a reality.
It's amazing how Cano never really cared about being a Yankee. And I can say that, because the Yankees did offer him $175 million -- that's $25 million per year. That's A-Rod money. But Cano felt that offer wasn't enough. He needed $60 million more. Instead, he rather live in Seattle for $23 million a year for ten years but won't live in New York City for $25 million per year for seven years and grow a tremendous legacy with the Yankees.
It's crazy to think that Cano won't even have a plaque a monument park. Sad. Ruined a legacy that could've made him the greatest Yankee second baseman of all-time, just for $60 million more. Again -- sad.
Anyway you put it, it's a sad day in Yankee-land. I'm only 25-years old and I never even seen Derek Jeter debut. But I did see Cano come up as a Yankee -- now I won't get to see him retire as a Yankee.
Goobye, Cano. Thank you for the eight great years. And I don't think we'll ever find a second baseman like you because you will be, at the end, the greatest second baseman who ever lived.
