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Look Out Dyckman, Here Comes Robbie

MLB: New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox

Robbie Cano, one of the great Yankees of his time–and arguably the greatest second baseman in team history–returns to the Bronx tonight.

Be nice to see him again, though odd to watch him playing against the Yanks.

[Photo Credit: Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports]

Categories:  1: Featured  Baseball Musings  Yankees

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25 comments

1 Chyll Will   ~  Apr 29, 2014 8:59 am

Hope he's not expecting a standing-O. A polite applause at best, indifference would be ideal. But I anticipate booing mainly because he chose to leave, regardless of how much money and years he was or wasn't offered. If the fans come to the stadium and need to get negative feelings about it out of their systems in the first game, so be it.

Fans have no control over the business except how much they're collectively willing to spend to go see the team play or buy their merchandise. That is to say, Robbie's reception is not nearly as important to us as it's being made out to be; a Yankees sweep is a bigger point to make.

2 Chris   ~  Apr 29, 2014 9:06 am

I thought ithat piece on Fallon was hilarious where they had fans boo the cardboard cutout of Cano and then suddenly be all nice to him when he stepped out from behind it. People are stupid. Just win, baby.

3 seamus   ~  Apr 29, 2014 9:23 am

[2] just watched it. That was hilarious. And truthfully, isn't that what being a fan is? I mean, we boo or cheer but if we met a player in person, 99.9% of us is going to be cordial and respectful regardless of our attitude as fans in front of a tv or in the bleachers.

4 seamus   ~  Apr 29, 2014 9:26 am

[2] btw, it reminds me of a tactic that is common when engaging in non-violent political protest. One of the real dangers protestors often face is anger over protest actions, and one of the best ways to pre-empt and counter the anger (and prevent violence) is to humanize yourself. There are lots of ways to do this (engage them politely, look them in the eyes, take a soft posture, if it's dark mark sure the area is well lit, etc...), but getting that person to see you as a human being is the key.

5 Sliced Bread   ~  Apr 29, 2014 9:39 am

I was disappointed Robbie rejected the Yanks' offer which I thought was more than reasonable, but I'd never boo him.
The Yanks would be foolish to throw him a strike in this series. Away, away, too high, too low, take yer base, son.

6 Jon DeRosa   ~  Apr 29, 2014 9:50 am

I expect boos tonight, but I don't really expect any true disgust beneath the boos. It'll be nominal. I also expect Cano to hit a bomb or too, and the fans who are booing him will kind of feel like, damn, those should be our bombs.

7 Ben   ~  Apr 29, 2014 9:59 am

Never even thought about booing Robbie. But yeah, i guess there will be a face-saving booing. Nothing viscious, I agree with Jon.

Cheers might even out pace the boos. I would clap if I were there- the guy was a monster for us, and we saw him grow up. What's to boo?

8 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 29, 2014 10:06 am

I'll be there tonight, I don't plan on booing but I'm sure that's what the vast majority of fans will do. Which, whatever I'm fine with that.

Robbie owes the Yankees fans nothing, he played great/hard for his entire time here and had every right to leave. That being said, the Yankees don't owe him an unconditional showering of love and affection either. My guess is big boos the first time up followed by a more tepid response afterwards.

9 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 29, 2014 10:16 am

and for the record I've booed twice in my life

1) I booed Esteban Loaiza one time in 2004, which he probably deserved.
2) At Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003 when Jean-Sebastian Giguere won the Conn Smythe over Martin Brodeur. Don't get me started on that one.

10 coleman42   ~  Apr 29, 2014 10:23 am

Unfortunately, booing is infectious. Half the booers won't know why they're booing.

11 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 29, 2014 10:30 am

Apparently some people are upset the Yankees won't be doing a video tribute to Cano on the scoreboard. Why? Why would they do that? Based on what precedent?

I'm gonna be good and salty by 7:10 and end up booing, I can see it now.

12 Alex Belth   ~  Apr 29, 2014 10:37 am

I didn't find the Fallon thing funny which is why I didn't post it. I'll cheer Robbie in his first at bat and then wouldn't cheer or boo after that. Unless he hits a homer. Then I'd boo. LOL

13 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 29, 2014 10:47 am

13) People are reacting to that thing like it's Richard Pryor on the Strip.

14 Sliced Bread   ~  Apr 29, 2014 10:54 am

If he hits one out, I'll boo the Yankees for throwing him a strike for no good reason. The Mariners have one of the lowest team batting averages in all of baseball. You don't- DO NOT - throw Robinson Cano a strike. This is how you avoid losing. Cappice?

15 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 29, 2014 10:54 am

Just heard the Yanks decided NOT to show a quick Cano highlight reel to the fans (as the Bosox did for Jacoby). It's kind of small thinking by the Yanks, since Cano did spend 9 years here, was an all star, gold glove, silver bat, WS winner. He wasn't the most popular Yanks for a number of reasons, but a brief welcome back, thanks for what you did for us would have been classier.

16 seamus   ~  Apr 29, 2014 11:10 am

boooooo! just felt like doing that...

17 Sliced Bread   ~  Apr 29, 2014 11:17 am

15) I see no reason to pay tribute to a player who leaves for more money. That sentiment was especially phony coming from the Red Sox who didn't even make Ellsbury an offer to stay.

18 rbj   ~  Apr 29, 2014 11:44 am

I don't have a problem with what Robbie did. Unlike musicians, athletes have only a limited time to make their money. He chose more money over more fame. I'm a capitalist and believe in the free market so if that's what he wants, it's fine.

Only time I booed was when Discharge came back over and instead of being a punk band they were long haired heavy metal. IIRC it was the Roxy. Basically a riot broke out.

19 thelarmis   ~  Apr 29, 2014 11:54 am

[18] unlike musicians, athletes actually make money! And there's nothing wrong with long-haired metal bands! ; )

20 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 29, 2014 12:00 pm

Booing at a ballpark is kinda weird in any case. I sorta get booing the umpire for a blown call, or booing a pitcher on the other team for hitting your guy. But why do people boo when the other team's pitcher keeps a guy close to 1st by tossing over 2 or 3 times, but would never boo when their own pitcher did the same thing?

I don't boo for off-field behavior (except, perhaps, A*rod). But I'll boo at a guy trying to hurt somebody on the field, or at those idiots who got in Tex's way for the foul ball in the 9th.

21 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 29, 2014 12:07 pm

18) I'm seeing Discharge in May and I have literally NO idea what to expect.

22 kenboyer made me cry   ~  Apr 29, 2014 1:38 pm

It just seems odd that a home grown, 9 year player with the Yankees and potential HOFer, leave the team and return to play against them in the prime of his power.

Has this ever happened before?

I can't think of an example right now, but I might be brain addled listening the NBA press conference regarding Donald Sterling. I would probably stand and cheer the first time Cano comes to bat. He was responsible for so much good for the Yankees and fans not to appreciate his legacy.

23 Dimelo   ~  Apr 29, 2014 2:06 pm

I have no reason to boo or to cheer, as Chyll Will stated [1] "indifference would be ideal."

I understand why he left, I understand why the Yankees did not want to sign him for that length of time and money. He got what he wanted, the Yankees moved on. Just business, nothing personal. Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.

24 Alex Belth   ~  Apr 29, 2014 2:21 pm

Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.

You still got it, man!

25 Branco   ~  Apr 29, 2014 2:52 pm

I'm cheering. Although he DOES owe me some cash for that jersey of his I bought...

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