Cano's Swing And Miss

In yesterday’s blog, I mentioned Mariano Rivera’s new book, The Closer.  In the book he talks about second base and the difference between Dustin Pedroia and Robinson Cano and that Pedroia though a former arch-enemy who plays for the Boston Red Sox would be a better second base choice that Robinson Cano.

Rivera says that while we are all aware Cano has the physical abilities to perform at a Hall of Fame caliber level, it does not appear he has to drive to do so.  Cano's answer to this was simply to note Rivera is entitled to "his opinion,"  While I get he doesn't want to engage in a he said/he said with Rivera and was smart to say he is concentrating on his new team, I am not sure he gets it.

In point of fact, he is, but he also spent several years with you Robby and happens to know a thing or two about the game.   Rivera is a first ballot Hall of Famer, or should be if I had a vote.  He pitched in seven World Series, thirteen All-Star games and holds the career record for most saves.  While we can argue the value of this statistic, you cannot argue the value of Mariano Rivera to the New York Yankees over the past nineteen years.

Cano would do well to consider Rivera's comments about drive, especially since he just left a championship caliber organization to go to Seattle that has not been in contention for the better part of a decade.  While I will begrudge no man the opportunity to follow big dollars, Cano seems to be driven less by championships than he does dollar and cents.  His retort that Rivera is entitled to his opinion indicates to me that Robbie Cano clearly swings and misses when it comes to what’s important in baseball and in life.