Tonight, the prodigal son returns. A homegrown star, a consistent force in the lineup, and a wiz in the field, Robinson Cano was the Yankees's MVP since 2010. This offseason, the Yankees spent a great amount of money on importing better free agents and offered Cano around $175 million. Many believe that Jay-Z, Cano's agent, wanted to make a splash and insisted that Cano hold out for the most money. After hearing the Yankees's offer, Cano signed with the Seattle Mariners, a rebuilding team, for $240 million. The Yankees's were not necessarily outbid, as they refused to offer 10 years/240 to their own player. If you were expecting a home discount to sign with the team that offered a great chance at the playoffs, you were mistaken. Cano took the money, which he probably should have, and ran, but also threw a small slight out that he was disrespected with the small offer. I'm calling shenanigans on that one.
This all leads to the 10-14 Mariners coming into the Bronx tonight. Jimmy Fallon was kind enough to gauge what the common Yankee fan's thoughts on Robinson Cano were going to be. All resoundingly bood a cardboard poster of Cano, only to recant and apologize to the actual Cano when he appeared from behind the poster. Some have called this typical Yankee fans, flip flopping around gutlessly. Other writes have asked that New York sports fans, who pride themselves on being knowledgeable and classy, refrain from booing. Most arguments are in the same genre, that either everyone in similar situations would have taken the money, or that the Yankees attract free agents by offering the most money, similar to the Mariners. Counterarguments suggest that the fans are still upset about Robbie not hustling enough in the field or running it out to first.
But what should the reaction from the fans be tonight at the stadium? What precedents have we seen so far from fans who welcome homegrown stars? Jacoby Ellsbury, in his return to Fenway, was greeted with a smattering of boos amidst a mild cheer: mostly mixed. If there were the boo meter, I would say it was at 50%. Ellsbury left Boston under slightly different circumstances; he did leave for more money, but that money was only between a handful of teams: the Red Sox did not offer him a sizable contract. The Yankees did offer Cano a large contract, and he still left. Fans may feel like Cano owed the organization something, but he did not. It is a business. Cano is trying to make the most money for Cano. And that is why it does not matter whether you boo or cheer for him tonight. He will be content swimming in his green mounds of cash.
Thus, it is my belief that fans should boo Cano. Absolutely give him the best showering of hate you can afford. It is a business, and fans should want their team to win. Let's cheer for the laundry tonight. When Cano is older and winding down and somehow makes his way back to the Yankees, you can cheer then. Let the emotion run wild in the meantime. Are you angry at him leaving? Do you not like his beard? Maybe you don't want him to hit in the game. Do you want to get in the head's of the opposition? Then let it out! To you Robinson Cano, boo!
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