robinson cano

Robinson Cano

 

Robinson José Canó Mercedes (Spanish pronunciation: [kaˈno]; born October 22, 1982) is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees. In the Yankee community, he is sometimes referred to as "Robby Cano". He was given this nickname by radio announcer John Sterling.

Family and early life

His father, José Canó, signed with the Houston Astros in 1980, and pitched in six games for the Astros in 1989. Robinson was named after baseball legend Jackie Robinson.

Canó grew up in the Dominican Republic though he lived in New Jersey for three years. He spent seventh, eighth and ninth grades in the Newark school system, attending Barringer High School for one year.When his family moved back to the Dominican Republic, Canó attended San Pedro Apostol High School in San Pedro de Macoris, where he played for the school's baseball and basketball teams.In the Dominican Winter Baseball League he plays for his hometown team Estrellas Orientales.

Playing career

After graduating high school, Canó was signed by the Yankees in 2001 as an amateur free agent and began playing in their minor league system. He was viewed as a top prospect during his time in the minor leagues.

He was one of five prospects offered to the Texas Rangers to complete the Yankees' acquisition of Alex Rodriguez in 2004.The Rangers selected Joaquín Árias instead.

Canó was nearly traded two other times by the Yankees in its attempts to obtain Carlos Beltrán from the Kansas City Royals, which was never realized, and Randy Johnson from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Even though the later deal was made, Canó was not part of it because he was rejected by the Diamondbacks.

2011

On July 3, 2011 it was annouced that Cano would represent the New York Yankees, and start at second base, for the American League in the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. On July 5, 2011 American League, Home Run Derby captain, David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox selected Cano to join him in the 2011 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby.

Awards

2002 – South Atlantic League All-Star SS[citation needed]
2004 – NY Yankees Minor League Player of the Year
2005 – MLB All-Rookie All-Star 2B[citation needed]
2005 – This Year in Baseball Awards: Rookie of the Year[citation needed]
2006 – Selected to the 2006 American League All Star team
2007 – Had his Class A (Staten Island Yankees) uniform number (17) retired.
2010 – American League Player of the Month for April.
2010 – American League All-Star, starting Second Baseman
2010 – American League Gold Glove Award, Second Base
2010 – American League Silver Slugger Award, Second Base