MVP feels great to Seattle’s Cano
MIAMI — Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano didn’t want more extra innings. In the 10th inning of Tuesday’s All-Star Game, Cano blasted a the game-winning home run to lift the American League to a 2-1 victory and earn himself Most Valuable Player honors.
Cano rocked an 81-mph curveball from Cubs right-hander Wade Davis above the right-field bullpen to break a 1-1 deadlock and steer Major League Baseball away from the nightmare of another tied All-Star Game.
Cano finished the night 1-for-2 with a strikeout after entering as a pinchhitter in the seventh inning.
He was the first Mariner to earn All-Star MVP honors since outfielder Ichiro Suzuki did so with Seattle in 2007. Ichiro (now a Marlin) went 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in the game 10 years ago. Ken Griffey, Jr. is the only other Mariner to win the award.
“As a kid, you watch Griffey and all those guys that come to the All-Star Game and win a MVP,” Cano said. “You want to get that feeling. I already got one for the Home Run Derby. I wanted to know how this feel and although it feels different, it feels great.”
The 34-year-old Cano, dealing with a slight quad injury, wasn’t even sure he would get into Tuesday’s game. He thought the game still counted for home-field advantage in the World Series and wasn’t sure if he would warrant playing time. Cano said he didn’t even do too much work Monday to prepare for the AllStar Game.
In his at-bat against Davis, Cano watched a cutter for a ball and then fouled one off. He looked for a curveball and didn’t miss.
“You have to get your [bat] head out front and be able to hit that breaking ball,” Cano said. “I was able to put a good swing.”
The home run was Cano’s first in an All-Star Game and snapped a streak of subpar performances. In seven previous appearances, Cano was just 1-for-7 with two strikeouts.
Cano is the third straight All-Star Game MVP to hit a homer. Mike Trout did so in 2015 and Eric Hosmer hit one last year. No player from the losing team has won the MVP since 1970 (Carl Yastrzemski).
Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna was on the losing National League team, but he was still happy for his fellow Dominican Cano.
“We didn’t do it, but Robinson Cano is like my father in the Dominican,” Ozuna said. “He helped me a lot last year. I said thanks god and [congratulations] Robinson Cano for earning the MVP.”
This year’s game was guaranteed to have a firsttime MVP. None of the current All-Stars previously won the game’s MVP.
As MVP, Cano was presented a choice on the field of taking home a Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport or Colorado ZR2 pickup truck.
“I’ll take the Corvette,” Cano said, noting that he almost bought one of them three years ago.