Second baseman Robinson Cano gave Yankees fans 204 home runs, a .300+ batting average, and a World Series banner during his nine years in New York. For taking the Mariners’ money and running–a rare instance of the Bronx Bombers outbid–Cano will have earned the inevitable boos in his return to Yankees Stadium tonight.
Cano felt the Yankees didn’t respect him in his departure. At around 7:05 p.m. tonight, the All Star will see how much Yankee fans respect him in his return.
The 31-year-old Dominican knew only one major-league franchise since he signed with the Yankees at 17. So, he knows how brutal the Bronx Cheer can be. On The Tonight Show on Monday evening, Cano got a preview of what he might experience tonight. Inviting Yankee fans in Manhattan to boo a cardboard image of Cano, an interviewer for the show then surprised the anti-fans with the $240 Million Man himself.
“Boo! You know what? You’re no longer welcome here!” yells one fan. But when Cano appears from behind the cardboard, the boo birds quickly change their tune. “Listen, about that, here’s what happened,” squirms one fan. “Boo! You suck!” one angry Yankees enthusiast screams. When Cano reveals himself, he contritely and quietly asks: “How you doing Robbie? Welcome back to New York.”