America The Beautiful will primarily cover the world of politcs, but the beauty of America doesn't just exist along Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Street. It exists at a waterfall at the US-Canadian border. It exists as a big red bridge in California. At sandy beaches that lines the Sunshine State. At a deep canyon with a river at the bottom in Arizona. And it exists within the warm, friendly confines of every single baseball field in America. Tonight, I just want to veer off my political theme for a little bit to recognize a big anniversary in the world of sports, or at least my little piece of it.
On May 3rd, 2005, New York Yankee Robinson Cano sprinted out of the visitors dugout at Tropicana Field to take his position at second base for the first time in his Major League career. 6 years ago today, my current favorite athlete began his torment of opposing pitchers, coaches, and teams that puts nothing but a tremendous grin on the faces of Yankee fans across the globe.
Since that day that will go down in Yankee history as the day a future Hall of Famer first took the field, Robbie has a very solid career line of .309/.346/.630/.840 (batting average/on base percentage/slugging percentage/OPS). He's accumulated 1,107 hits in just 6 years, which is absolutely stellar. He's hit 124 home runs and driven in 524 runs while scoring 527 runs himself. He placed 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting in 2005, twice selected as the starting second baseman in the All Star Game (2006, 2010), twice the winner of the Silver Slugger award at second base (same years), mashing 4 home runs in last year's ALCS against the Rangers, and finished 3nd in MVP voting while winning a Gold Glove award last season. He undoubtedly, in my mind, has been the best second baseman in the league since his debut and can arguably be considered one of the top players in all the league.
He has averaged 202 hits per season in the last 2 years and if anyone can continue this pace, it's him. At this pace, he will reach 3,000 hits and the guarantee of a plaque in Cooperstown at age 37 in his 16th season, which is almost exactly the season and age Derek Jeter will accomplish this feat.
Cano has averaged 27 home runs during the last 2 seasons as well, and if he continues at this pace, which he more than likely will, he will be nearing his 400th home run around the same time as he approaches his 3,000th hit. A feat only 8 other players have ever accomplished, all Hall of Famers.
His swing is eerily similar to the Kid's, a sexy, silky smooth, effortless swing that generates so much power it's scary. Robbie is so graceful on defense that looks like he's picking flowers instead of fielding ground balls. He has the range of a cruise missile which ironically travels at the speed of a ball thrown by Cano. You can count on him in a big spot to deliver a key base hit, to record an out on defense, or to send the ball deep into a New York night. His infectious smile and pure love of the game can be respected by all, even by Red Sox fans. Right here, I would make a comparison to a Hall of Fame player and tell everyone to watch out as the new version of said player is upon us but there is truly no player like Robinson Cano.
Congratulations Robbie on achieving what many little league sluggers, high school aces, college ballplayers, and Minor League prospects dream of, and that is taking the field for a Major League team. Cano took advantage of his opportunity and is making the best of it, just look at his numbers. Or better yet, sit down, turn on the YES Network, and watch the 28 year old superstar from the Dominican Republic crush the baseball and make seemingly impossible plays in the field, all with the smile of a young child picking up a bat and stepping up to the tee for the first time. Dontcha know? It's Robbie Cano
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