Robinson Cano Archives - Page 2 of 5

Never Mind That Last Post

July 10, 2013

What would the Yankees do without Lyle Overbay, otherwise known as Lyle Loverbay on Twitter. It was almost predestined that he would hit a grand slam when he came up with bases loaded. But an opposite field slam? Tremendous, and it put the Yanks up 8-0.

Cano’s homer got things started, but it was Overbay’s blast that made the game comfortable.

And Nova…..Wow…..Where did he come from all of a sudden? Now he goes eight innings without breaking a sweat and only seemed to run out of gas tonight after his 100th pitch. Whether it’s the threat of Pineda showing up in the Bronx and filling his slot or he’s just matured to the point of being really, really good, I don’t know, but I hope he keeps up the great work. He was fun to watch.

So were the clips on YES of Jeter’s outing in Scranton. He’s coming, unless something weird intervenes, and I’m getting excited.

There’s really not much to say about A-Rod’s supposed suspension that’s on the horizon. He’ll meet with MLB and not answer questions about PEDs and this thing will drag on or it won’t. No point in speculating now. Besides, Cruz made a dazzling play at third tonight, so maybe he’ll be fine there.

The Way It Should Be

July 4, 2013

Your starter pitches well (give or take some walks), your star second baseman knocks in big runs and your closer closes. Done. Game over. Another win in Minny.

I like the formula. Of course, I kept wondering why Ron Gardenhire would pitch to Cano. “Don’t let their best player keep beating you.” Isn’t that how managers think? Not Gardenhire, apparently. I guess he figured his starter could handle it. If so, he figured wrong. And big credit to Lyle Overbay for driving in the third run on that sac fly. He’s such a professional hitter.

As the game began, Singleton and Flaherty said our shortstop was someone named Luis Cruiz, who’d been DFA-ed by the Dodgers and was now a Yankee. I get the need for backup with Nix on the DL (I love how the Yankees say they’re “not concerned” about an injury and the next thing you know the player is on the DL, which doesn’t bode well for Kuroda and his hip), but why wouldn’t you keep Gonzalez in the lineup for another night? All he did the night before was be the star of the game. And all Cruz did was make an error. (Maybe he was nervous. Or jet lagged. Or in shock.)

Anyhow, it was a lovely win. Happy 4th, everyone!

Is There Any Way We Could Keep Playing The Twins?

July 2, 2013

It wasn’t a given that the Yankees would find relief in Minnesota, but it’s happened before and I was very glad it happened again last night. What I wasn’t expecting was that Pettitte would look so off – he’s been our stopper after losing streaks for so long – and not seem to be the Andy of old. Still, he managed to hang in for awhile and pitch well enough not to let the game get away. And he did pass Whitey on the strikeouts list. Very impressive.

With Cano on fire after the trip to Baltimore and Gardner and Zoilo joining the fun, plus some nimble bat work by Ichiro, we ended up with a Janer. It made me smile.

(We haven’t seen the laughing lady in ages, so I thought I’d put her up there.)

Can we hope for two in a row? That’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Same Old Same Old

July 1, 2013

Those sad faces from the postseason reminded me of the sad faces from last night….and the night before….and the night before that. The fact is, it must not be fun to be the Yankees these days despite how upbeat Girardi says they are.

Also in the “it must not be fun to be” department has to be Cano. He’s hitting. He’s the only real star on the team. There has to be pressure on him to try and do it all. Gardner’s hitting too, but it’s not the same. Cano is the one negotiating the big contract, the All-Star, the home run derby guy. I’m betting it was more fun when Jeter and A-Rod were around to pick up the slack. Actually, it was probably more fun when he was young player and he and Melky were always dancing and clowning.

Will the Yanks drop below the Blue Jays and sink into last place? Could happen. But the world won’t end if it does. It’ll just mean this wasn’t our year and the injuries were too great to overcome. I love this team for trying no matter what. Girardi’s right: they really do keep fighting.

Another Win And A Visit From Hal

May 18, 2013

Hal steinbrenner12_576 — Photo: Debby Wong/USA TODAY Sports

Hal looks like a hilarious guy, doesn’t he? Seriously stiff, but maybe he loosens up at home.

Anyhow, he showed up to greet fans and talk to the media before today’s win over the Jays, and he said, as if it were obvious, “Of course the Yankees are in first place. I knew all along that Travis Hafner would lead us to a world championship.”

No, he didn’t really say that, but he did express early confidence in this Yankees team.

And why not? They just keep beating up on the Blue Jays and I wish we played them every game. They looked pathetic on defense, really dreadful. As Paul O’Neill said during the YES broadcast, “Somebody – the manager or one of their players – needs to get angry in the clubhouse.”

As for our side, what a day for Cano. Hal can sound all business-as-usual about the contract talks with Cano’s agent, but how do you not pay this guy.

Phelps did a great job for the second game in a row.

Either this team of oldsters and youngsters is really gelling or the other teams we’ve been playing aren’t very good.

A House Of Horrors Yet Again

April 22, 2013

You’d think the Yankees would like playing at the Trop. It’s close to their own stadium in Tampa. The weather is predictable. They have a lot of fans in FL who turn out to cheer for them. So what’s the problem?

CC, in particular, seems to go stir bugs when he pitches there. He sure was awful in those early innings tonight. I was late getting the game on and we were down 5-0 already. Supposedly, he couldn’t find the plate. Why? Do they make home plate smaller at the Trop? Nooo, so he needs to snap out of it because we face the Rays 1,000 more times this season. He did settle down though and gave the Yankees plenty of chances to score runs and make a comeback.

Sadly, the Rays have another great young pitcher – all those draft picks, all that talent – and our bats were silenced, Cano’s homer aside.

I’m not even going to bring up the report about Cano’s connection to Biogeneis or his assistant’s connection to it, except to say I must be the only human being on the planet who didn’t visit that place. I’m not going to bring up Youkilis’ balky back either, except to say we already have a creaky third baseman and we need one that’s healthy.

The First Janer Of The Season!

April 8, 2013

I’ve said many times that blowouts are my favorite kind of win, so Friend of the Blog Barbara (where are you, Barbara?) coined the term “Janer” whenever the Yankees score 10 or more runs. You can have pitcher’s duels. They’re exciting but too nerve wracking for me. I like my wins to be no-doubters with enough room to breathe.

Today’s game against the Indians was just the ticket. The bats were red hot. Cano had a great day with those two homers, showing us he’s alive after all. Hafner seemed thrilled to be back in Cleveland so he could show everybody that he, too, is still alive. Wells continued his resurrection. It was all good.

Kuroda? He went five and got the win. He looked shaky early, but his finger is probably still sore. The only downside to the game for me was Joba. He shaved off the mustache since it wasn’t bringing him any luck, and while he didn’t get hammered today he made the ninth a trial in an already looong game. Full counts are not the way to succeed. I wish he got that. It made me mad that he even allowed the possibility that Mo would have to get loose after throwing all those pitches yesterday.

But it was a very nice way to open the series. Andy goes tomorrow and who doesn’t want a repeat of his last start? Not me.

Does This Feel….Wrong Somehow?

April 2, 2013

Via the NY Post:

Jay-Z forming sports agency, Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano signs as first client
Last Updated: 11:19 AM, April 2, 2013
Jay-Z has launched Roc Nation Sports, a full-service sports management company and has signed Yankees star Robinson Cano as its first client.

Roc Nation Sports will be led by the rapper with Juan Perez serving as president. They have partnered with CAA Sports, a division of Creative Artists Agency to co-represent the All-Star second baseman.

“Because of my love of sports, it was a natural progression to form a company where we can help top athletes in various sports the same way we have been helping artists in the music industry for years,” Jay-Z said.

Cano is a member of the Yankees’ 2009 World Series championship team, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and two-time Gold Glove Award winner.

“At this point in my career, I am ready to take a more active role in my endeavors both on and off the field,” said Cano. “I am confident that the pairing of Roc Nation Sports and CAA Sports will be essential in helping me accomplish my short- and long-term goals. I am making this important decision now so I can keep my focus on helping the Yankees succeed in 2013, while minimizing any distractions for me and my teammates.”

I get that Cano is the rock star of the Yankees/baseball right now and he’s about to be a free agent unless Hal really does open his wallet, but what sort of “endeavors” does he have in mind? Endorsement deals? Movie roles? Lead singer in a band? This all sounds sort of A-Rod-ish to me.

Hal's Opening The Wallet?

February 28, 2013

I was surprised to read earlier today that the Yankees have made Cano an offer to keep him in the fold for an unspecified number of years and for an unspecified (although “significant,” according to Cashman) amount. There have been so many players and managers who’ve been told, “We don’t negotiate until after the season,” and yet here’s Cano warranting a break with precedent before the season has even started. Interesting.

Do we think:

1) Hal and company wanted to avoid the distraction to Cano and the team during the course of the season?

2) It’s really a significant amount for a significant period of time?

3) There’s a chance in hell that Scott Boras won’t take his client to the open market this fall instead of negotiating with the Yankees?

4) Cano has such strong feelings of love and commitment to the Yankees that he’d reject the advice of his new agent and the promise of more money elsewhere?

5) Cano deserves a mega-deal that would tie up payroll for years – the very thing the Yankees seem reluctant to repeat after giving contracts to A-Rod, etc?

6) Is Cano the best player in the game, last year’s inconsistency and poor postseason notwithstanding? Is he the best second baseman the Yankees have ever had?

So many questions. I assume that Hal and company would answer “yes” to 1 and 6. I also assume they’re hoping the answers to 3 and 4 are “yes.” But 2 and 5 are tricky. What’s “significant” is 2013? How does an expensive, long-term deal for a superstar affect the team’s ability to go after other free agents this fall? Let’s say they let Hughes go elsewhere. Pettitte and Kuroda are probably done. Won’t they need a starting pitcher, not to mention a power-hitting outfielder to replace Granderson should they let him walk too?

Meanwhile, I’d like to see the current team start beating other teams in spring training, just for fun.

Hal’s Opening The Wallet?

February 28, 2013

Do we think:

1) Hal and company wanted to avoid the distraction to Cano and the team during the course of the season?

2) It’s really a significant amount for a significant period of time?

3) There’s a chance in hell that Scott Boras won’t take his client to the open market this fall instead of negotiating with the Yankees?

4) Cano has such strong feelings of love and commitment to the Yankees that he’d reject the advice of his new agent and the promise of more money elsewhere?

5) Cano deserves a mega-deal that would tie up payroll for years – the very thing the Yankees seem reluctant to repeat after giving contracts to A-Rod, etc?

6) Is Cano the best player in the game, last year’s inconsistency and poor postseason notwithstanding? Is he the best second baseman the Yankees have ever had?

Meanwhile, I’d like to see the current team start beating other teams in spring training, just for fun.

A Message From The Animated Me

October 31, 2012

Since most of you don’t follow my other blog, Mainly Jane, I thought I’d take a break from Storm Talk and Yankee Talk and show you the video trailer for my new book. If there’s a caregiver in your life (or you are one), this is for you!

P.S. Congrats to Cano and Tex for their Gold Glove Awards!!!!! I feel like a proud mother!!!!

ALCS Game 2: Ice Cold

October 14, 2012

The above just about sums up the situation, folks. Once again the starting pitching was spectacular, but the bats were dead. Huge applause for Kuroda, especially since everybody was worried about him going on three days rest. He came through in a big, big way.

Yes, he ran into trouble in the 8th and what trouble it turned out to be.

As we all saw from replays, Swisher’s throw was a good one and so was Cano’s tag, but the ump blew it. I would have gone crazy if I were Girardi and, though he got tossed (on his birthday, no less – what a tough week for him), there really wasn’t much point. As he said in his post-game remarks, the call was awful and could have been rectified with instant replay, but he also agreed that it was the offense, not the umpiring, that cost the Yankees the game.

I was interested in his perspective on the fact that all the hitters – we’re talking about a collective swoon with an exception here and there – have looked baffled by the Tigers’ pitching and the Orioles’ pitching. He mentioned that they had to “make adjustments.” What could those adjustments be at this point? Will they suddenly learn how to hit off-speed stuff? Stop taking big swings when a poke through the infield would do? Change their batting stances? I wouldn’t want to be Kevin Long right now.

I was hoping that they’d all rise to the occasion and win one for the Captain, but they just seem impossibly out of sync. Very disheartening as well as puzzling.

But we’ve seen this before, this “going cold.” It’s like one of those flu bugs that sweeps through the clubhouse and infects everybody. Maybe they should take antibiotics.

All that said, it pains me to hear the fans booing, as justified as they may be. Bald Vinny, who leads the Bleacher Creatures in the roll call, was tweeting about how Swisher wouldn’t face the stands and joke around with them as he usually does but rather warmed up behind home plate before the game and never acknowledged them during the game. (Nice touch, by the way, when the Creatures included Jeter in the roll call.) Clearly, there’s a lot of fan rage out there. It pains me, as I said. They’re still our Yankees, for better or worse.

My Clinching Tradition Continues…

October 3, 2012

(glub glub…ahhhh)

As you can see, this year, instead of drinking champagne in the shower with the goggles to celebrate the Yanks’ AL East crown, I cracked open the chicken soup. I’ve been nursing a cold/sore throat, so it seemed fitting to swig some Swanson’s to celebrate our boys’ latest triumph instead of the bubbly. And what a triumph it was. After such a roller-coaster season, they came through when it mattered – with a Janer Plus, no less – and shielded us from having to endure that awful one-game business at Camden Yards tomorrow. All I can say is Thank You, Yankees!

And while I’m on a Thank You kick, Thanks, Cano, for getting hot at the perfect time. You kept us scratching our heads for a lot of the season, but you’ve been on a roll lately. Way to go.

Thanks, Granderson, for all those homers this season. There were so many games when you got us on the scoreboard with one of your shots to right. Yes, you strike out too much, but you’re brilliant.

Thanks, Kuroda, for being a warrior. Even without run support, even against a more competitive league than you were used to, even though you were a little tired toward the end, you made us proud.

Thanks, Jeter, for your Captain-ish amazingness. It was so nice to see you smile after the final out tonight. I know you don’t think you’ve won anything until you’re holding the Championship Trophy, but you got us here. You did.

There were so many heroes in tonight’s blowout, but the great thing about this team is that everyone contributed throughout the season – everyone. And as much as his moves make my eyes roll back in my head at times, credit goes to Girardi for calling them right a good deal of the time.

So now we wait to see who’s next: Texas or Baltimore. Michael asked me which team I’d rather face, and I said Texas. No idea why. Then I changed my mind and said Baltimore since it would mean less wear-and-tear travel wise. Either way, it gets harder from here on, but I’m savoring the chicken soup tonight and will worry about the next game when it happens.

Congratulations to the New York Yankees, the AL East Champions once again.

A Janer With Asterisks

September 28, 2012

08.4s092.Cano.C--300x300 — Photo: Charles Wenzelberg

Actually, Cano was hit on his left hand (old pic from a game at Fenway). If those x-rays aren’t negative – or even if they are and he’s bruised and swollen – I don’t know what will become of us. He was just getting hot again too. Let’s hope he’s okay.

And Kuroda. What a warrior to stay in the game and give the Yankees a chance to win after that rocky start. But he’s clearly struggling with fatigue and we need him fresh and rested.

On the positive side, how about Russell Martin? If anyone told me he’d have 20 homers this season, I’d have done this.

It was a sloppy game by the Blue Jays, but the Yanks hit the ball, scored throughout the game and didn’t let up. Loved it.

Naturally, the O’s won too so the tight rope tightens even more. Oh, boy.

Congrats to Homer Bailey on the no-hitter. I’d never heard of him, but I’d heard about the guy he beat: our very own AJ.

One Game Margin Now

September 3, 2012

Naturally.

Why should this season be a picnic? Didn’t we want our nerves to be shot, our stomachs to be in a knot, our brains exploding?

No. We did not. But here we are. The Yankees had a poor showing yet again in today’s matinee at the Trop and the Orioles, by contrast, beat the Blue Jays handily.

CC was just okay. Perfectly adequate but not the dominant stopper we expect an ace to be. (I miss Andy. He used to be the guy who shut the other team down after a bad patch.)

Ichiro and Dickerson nearly killed each other with that collision, but it appears neither was hurt. Perhaps Dickerson needs to learn “I got it” in Japanese or Ichiro needs to learn to get out of the way of a center fielder who’s bigger than he is.

Cano was the goat of twitter for not hustling out of the box and getting thrown out at first as well as for not stretching for the ball that ultimately went past him for a big Tampa hit. Not sure what’s up with him at this point.

A-Rod’s return was unspectacular, but he did get a hit – and hits have been in short supply for this team.

The last inning was tough to watch: Nunez on third with the tying run and stranded there. Ugh.

Maybe the Yankees can take the rest of the Labor Day holiday and think about how it’ll feel playing golf in October. Or maybe, as one mischief maker suggested on twitter, someone should start checking the clubhouse for fried chicken and beer.

Yanks Play Sparkling Baseball

August 28, 2012

My favorite moment of tonight’s win over the Blue Jays was the double play started by a leaping Cano. Just beautiful.

Hughes pitched very well. I worried as I watched him in the first inning; he was nibbling and his pitch count wasn’t efficient. But he settled down and got on a roll. I don’t think I’ll ever love his style; he frustrates me when he doesn’t put hitters away with two strikes. Still, he must be applauded for his performance tonight.

The offense did just enough to scratch out a couple of runs. (Where would we be without Swisher?) When I saw the lineup before the game, I said, “The new guy is batting cleanup? And Martin is fifth?” It made no sense, but with the others struggling and Tex and A-Rod out, I guess there weren’t a lot of choices.

Anyhow, good job by Robertson and Soriano. And good job by the Yankees to hold onto their division lead.

Here’s What I Loved About Today’s Game

July 14, 2012

In no particular order:

Today’s heroes were different than yesterday’s heroes.
Robinson Cano is hitting with runners in scoring position.
Curtis Granderson is a home run masher, no matter what he says.
Sweaty Freddy sweat a lot, but he gave us more innings than I expected – again.
Cody Eppley isn’t a fluke.
Rafael Soriano has more than proven his worth to the Yankees (thank you, Hal).
We beat the Angels, one of my favorite teams to beat.
Nobody got hurt.
The laughing lady deserves to laugh..