UPDATE – Robinson Cano To Take Part In Home Run Derby
If you haven’t heard already, it was announced yesterday that Robinson Cano will take part in the State Farm Home Run Derby next week in Anaheim. Although hitting coach Kevin Long and manager Joe Girardi are not in favor of the Yankee slugger participating in the event, they are supporting his decision and hoping the event does not tire him out for the second half of the season. Personally, I am siding with K-Long and Girardi on this one. If history tells us anything, participants in the home run derby tend to taper off in the second half of the season. It happened to Josh Hamilton in 2008 and Bobby Abreu in 2005. If you don’t believe me, check the comparisons below for Abreu and Hamilton:
Bobby Abreu’s 2005 Stats – Split between 1st & 2nd Half
Josh Hamilton’s 2008 Stats – Split between 1st & 2nd Half
Five other sluggers have already confirmed that they will take part as well. According to MLB.com:
Four American League All-Stars — Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz and Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells — are the first to represent their league for a crack at the title, which will be part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday — the day before Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Angel Stadium. On the National League side, the first four AL contestants will be joined by Brewers outfielder Corey Hart and Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday, with more participants from both leagues to be announced once they are confirmed.
Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News has reported that Kevin Long and Joe Girardi would prefer that Cano not play in the home run derby. Joe Girardi was quoted in the article as saying:
I think it’s a lot of swings for a player; physically, I think it’s somewhat of a grind, but it’s an honor to be involved. The biggest thing is that we keep Robinson Cano healthy and strong the whole year. If that in any way would fatigue him, then I would prefer that he didn’t get fatigued.
Kevin Long was quoted saying:
I would prefer he’s not involved in it, but that’s not my decision. History suggests that guys that do the home run hitting contest get fatigued and exhausted from the process. I’m happy for the fact that he’s maybe getting the opportunity, but in the same breath we have to be careful in how he goes about this.
What are your thoughts on Robinson Cano participating the home run derby? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
UPDATE: Last night, manager Joe Girardi and Robinson Cano discussed the home run derby with General Manager Brian Cashman over the phone so that everyone could get on the same page. Cano now agrees with the recommendation that he not participate because of a stiff lower back. To read more on this, check out the following link: Yankees keeping Cano out of Derby
When asked about this decision, Cano was quoted as saying:
They don’t want me to take the risk that I go out there and make the thing worse in my back. They don’t know how many swings I’m going to make. They say I might feel good the same day, but you never know how you’re going to wake up the next day. They don’t want to take the risk that they’d lose me for the second half — two weeks, three weeks, a month. I agree with them. I don’t want to put myself in a situation where they’re going to have to get someone else to play second base.”
Image courtesy of Zimbio.com
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