Phil Mushnick of the NY Post had some critical words for New York Yankees second basemen Robinson Cano and the voice of the Yankees Michael Kay. See, Michael Kay has a propensity for calling out professional players that don’t show hustle or show professionalism at all times. However, this could be a bit of a contradiction seeing that one of the Yankees best players, Robinson Cano, has been seen all season not hustling down the line to beat out throws to first base.
Robinson Cano will never be confused with being a speed burner, but a little hustle is all we’re asking for
Cano’s recidivist, often sustained non-interest in running to first has this season been impossible to ignore this season. His flagrant disregard for the best, winning interests of his team and his employers — not to mention the Yankees’ hideously over-charged ticket-buyers — is both obvious and disturbing.
Yet, on Yankees telecasts, where managed news seems to be (mis)managed by team management, Cano’s obvious, too-cool-to-run disposition often goes seen but unspoken.
Michael Kay, who at other times makes generalized statements questioning the professionalism of players who choose not to “run everything out,” apparently doesn’t see Cano as the Yankees’ primary offender.
Wednesday, top of the first in Minnesota, Cano struck out on a pitch in the dirt. Rather than run to first, rather than trying to force a throw, Cano stood still, allowing the catcher to tag him out. Nothing from Kay.
Yet, in the bottom of the first, after Cano left his feet to field a grounder, Kay gave a speech, lauding Cano for his above-and-beyond hustle, which he attributed to being criticized “in newspapers and on radio” for indifferent play at second.
Meanwhile, Cano stretched out to field a close-by grounder that, had he not done so, would have been revolting. And for that he was praised for extraordinary hustle. But we’re not supposed to be smart enough to know better.
It’s tough not to agree with Mushnick here. Cano is making millions and Yankee fans pay good money to see their heroes hustle and give a damn. Thus, he should hustle down to first base. However, my counter to that would be: he hits over .300 every year while jacking out 30 bombs at the second base position. I think I can handle Cano taking what is equivalent to a nice summer nights jog down the first base line in exchange for those numbers. Look at it this way, unless that second basemen turns into Chuck Knoblauch, he isn’t going to beat the throw anyway.
The post NY Post columnist calls out Yanks’ Michael Kay and Robinson Cano appeared first on New York Sports Kings.
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September 29, 2012
