Robinson Canó

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**Robinson Canó**
Major League Baseball debut
New York Yankees — No. 24
Second base
Bats: Left	Throws: Right
May 3, 2005 for the New York Yankees
Selected MLB statistics (through April 7, 2007)
AVG	.320
HR	29
RBI	143

Robinson José Canó (IPA: [kaˈno]; born October 22, 1982, in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic) is a second baseman in Major League Baseball, who currently plays for the New York Yankees. He was named after baseball legend Jackie Robinson.^{[citation needed]}

His .319 lifetime batting average through 2006 would rank him 5th among active ballplayers, if he had sufficient plate appearances to qualify for the list.

1 Family & early life
2 Playing career
3 Awards
4 References
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Family & early life

His father, José Canó, was drafted by the Yankees in 1980, and played in the major leagues in 1989, pitching in 6 games for the Houston Astros.^[1]

Robinson Canó, who was named after Jackie Robinson by his father, grew up in the Dominican Republic, where he played both baseball and basketball at San Pedro Apostol High School in San Pedro de Macoris.^[1] In the Dominican Winter Baseball League he plays for his hometown team Estrellas Orientales.

After graduating, he was signed by the Yankees in 2001 and began playing in their minor league system.

[edit] Playing career

[edit] 2005

Canó was called up to the Major Leagues on May 3, 2005, while hitting .333 in 108 at bats in AAA, and took over second base from Tony Womack. He hit .297 with 14 home runs and 62 RBI, and finished 2nd in American League Rookie of the Year balloting.^[1]

Canó finished the year, however, with the 3rd-worst walk percentage in the league, 3.0%.^[2]

During 2005, Joe Torre took some heat for comparing Canó to Hall of Famer Rod Carew. When pressed, Torre clarified that he only meant that Canó "reminded" him of Carew, in terms of his build, presence at the plate, and smoothness in his swing. Torre assured the media that he did not necessarily expect Canó to become as great a player as Carew.^[3]

[edit] 2006

In 2006 Canó led the AL All-Star balloting at second base, but could not play after being placed on the disabled list for a strained hamstring. After his return from injury, however, on August 8, 2006, Canó lead the league in batting average, doubles, and runs batted in.^{[citation needed]} During late September 2006 Canó accumulated enough at-bats to once again qualify for the AL batting race. Canó was rewarded the AL Player of the Month award for September.^[1]

Canó finished 2006 with the 3rd-best batting average in the AL (.342, just 1 point behind teammate shortstop Derek Jeter and 5 points behind Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer), and 9th in the league in doubles (41). He also led the AL in batting average on the road (.364; 96/264) and after the 6th inning (.353; 55/156). He had the 3rd-worst walk percentage in the league at 3.6%.^[4]

Canó finished 22nd in American League MVP voting with 3 votes. His teammate Derek Jeter finished 2nd.^[5]

[edit] 2007

Canó offered to give up his number 22 to Roger Clemens in the event that the Yankees signed him.^[6] He has chosen to wear the number 24, which is a reversal of Jackie Robinson's number 42, which has been retired by Major League Baseball.

[edit] Awards

2002 - South Atlantic League All-Star SS
2004 - NY Yankees Minor League Player of the Year
2005 - MLB All-Rookie All-Star 2B
2005 - Finished 2nd in the American League Rookie of the Year voting behind Huston Street of the Oakland Athletics.
2005 - This Year in Baseball awards: Rookie of the Year
2006 - Was selected to the 2006 American League All Star team, but due to a stint on the 15-day DL he could only attend the 2006 Home Run Derby to cheer on his fellow players.
2006 - Finished 22nd in the American League Most Valuable Player voting behind Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins.
2006 - Silver Slugger Award