First things first: Let’s not make this about a lack of hustle on the part of Robinson Cano. He was wrong, to be sure, not to dive for that ground ball in the eighth inning on Monday that turned into a game-winning single for the Rays.
But it wasn’t a lack of effort from Cano that cost the Yankees a huge ballgame, as their lead in the AL East continues to shrink by the day. It was a bad decision.
Cano’s history of nonchalance, most of which he has overcome, still gets him unfairly labeled as lazy on days like these. The real issue is that he’s the best defensive second baseman in the majors, and as a result, he thinks he can make any play at any time.
This time it cost him. He thought he was going to get to Chris Gimenez’s ground ball toward the hole, but in such a crucial situation, he should have dived to keep the ball in the infield and prevent Ryan Roberts from scoring from second base.
...On this day, in particular, it looked bad for Cano. In the top of the eighth, he had stopped running out of the batter’s box when it appeared his line drive had been caught by third baseman Elliot Johnson. However, Johnson dropped the ball, yet had plenty of time to throw out Cano, who started running again when he realized the ball was in play.
Cano leaves himself open to criticism on such a play because, unlike Derek Jeter, he doesn’t always run hard on routine ground balls. But this was more of an instinctive stop in his tracks, thinking the ball was caught, than a lack of hustle.
Repoz
Posted: September 04, 2012 at 06:23 AM |
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1. Howie Menckel Posted: September 04, 2012 at 06:59 AM (#4225976)"The real issue is that he’s the best defensive second baseman in the majors,"
a non-Darwinian response....
I've heard fans from their respective teams call Brandon Phillips, Robinson Cano, Dustin Pedroia, Ian Kinsler, Ben Zobrist, Mark Ellis, Chase Utley (though not lately), Darwin Barney, and Aaron Hill the best defensive 2B in baseball.
You can tell Derek Jeter is the best defensive SS in the majors too. Just look at all the plays he doesn't make!
That's quite the accusation.
MLBN reported last night that Cano's game status was day-to-day.
1. He was not ready when the pitch was thrown, he had shifted over to bluff the runner back and instead of being in a ready position he was still walking back to his position when the ball was hit.
2. I thought he looked uncomfortable walking back to his position, I buy his argument that he was already a bit hurt.
3. He seemed to be in a bit of an in-between position. I think he was too close for a true dive and would have had to have sort of gone down like a hockey goalie to block it rather than make any kind of baseball play on it. Maybe he could/should have done so but I don't think it was that easy.
Just generally the ball seemed to take forever to get through the infield. While I think Cano is a bit overrated defensively it's a play I expected him to make. Just based on the way it unfolded I'm inclined to accept his argument that he was already gimpy.
Or (as is more likely) since I faked a limp after barely beating out a DP ball in Little League, because the truth (me dogging it down the line) wasn't very flattering.
I haven't seen a great of Yankee games lately, but is Cano not considered much of a "heads up" player, or was this just a bad day for him?
I don't care if you are gimpy - you can fall down and block the ball. Deal with Tampa's seniors lament - "I've fallen and can't get up" - later.
JE would have made the play!
It was Cano and it was a hell of a play.
I couldn't believe where he was when he caught that ball. But he didn't dive, so that proves he's dogging it.
Jeter is 3 inches taller than Cano.
Nope - since I faked rolling my ankle after inexplicably clanking a wide-open layup on a breakaway in pickup basketball about 10 years ago, and, in the process, rolled my ankle.
I've heard fans from their respective teams call Brandon Phillips, Robinson Cano, Dustin Pedroia, Ian Kinsler, Ben Zobrist, Mark Ellis, Chase Utley (though not lately), Darwin Barney, and Aaron Hill the best defensive 2B in baseball.
Aaron Hill? Really? That's random. Phillips and Cozart are an absolute JOY to watch play together, particularly around the bag. Sometime in the last week or so MLBN was running "20 best plays of the season so far in the middle infield" (I think that's what it was called) and the Cinci MI combo is truly terrific.
Comes from his days as a Jay. Which actually demonstrates my point...about 4-5 years ago it wasn't uncommon to hear Jay fans discussing Hill as the best defensive 2B in the game (he did score +13 and +22 in back to back years!) Though I'm sure his name wasn't brought up that often outside of Toronto. It seems like just about every fan base thinks their 2B is the guy at one point or another. Unless of course Dan Uggla plays for your team.
Did you leave Gordon Beckham off of the list because he is clearly the best defensive second baseman of them all, and listing him would simply end the discussion?
According to BBREF, there's still 190 to go.
It was projected for this Saturday coming up, not the one just past.
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