Thursday, July 8, 2010

Cano should have pulled himself from HR derby


Robinson Cano has every right to be upset that the New York Yankees let the media know he wouldn't be allowed to participate in the Home Run Derby before they let him know. But he should be more upset with himself than anyone else.

The home run contest has become the glamour event of the All-Star festivities and I can see why Cano would be eager to participate, getting the national attention he deserves for his MVP-caliber season. But he should have declined the invitation knowing full well that his back was so stiff he’s needed treatment for days. The second baseman also should have pulled himself out of the derby once he realized that manager Joe Girardi and hitting coach Kevin Long had concerns about how it would impact him.

Granted, Girardi and Brian Cashman should have made sure Cano knew first that they were pulling him, but he shouldn't have put them in the position of forcing him to withdraw. Cano has been around long enough to know that the Yankees are the ones paying his salary and his first obligation is to them.

Cano was on the bench last night and clearly wasn't happy about the turn of events. But he should lay most of the blame on himself for this one.

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