For the second year in a row, there is tension between Robinson Cano and Billy Butler over the Home Run Derby.
Cano was named captain of the AL Home Run Derby squad last year and upset Kansas City Royals fans by leaving Butler, the Royals’ top hitter, off the team. The All-Star Game was being played at Kauffman Stadium, and many felt that including one of the home team’s top players would have been a nice reward for the home fans. Cano felt differently and left Butler off the squad. The fans in KC protested Cano’s decision by booing him mercilessly during the competition and supposedly going after his family.
This year’s All-Star Game is being played at Citi Field, and Cano was named captain of the AL Home Run Derby squad once again. When asked if he would make amends by picking Butler for this year’s squad, Cano answered, “no chance.”
Butler found Cano’s “no chance” comment to be disrespectful.
“I respect Robinson as a great baseball player and I don’t feel like he has to make those type of comments, really,” Butler said on Wednesday, per MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel. “The situation had nothing to do with me, I was just a guy that was a part of it. I’d like for him to respect me a little bit more with his comments. There’s no reason to say ‘no chance’ or that kind of stuff.”
Butler accused Cano of stirring the pot with his “no chance” remark.
“Obviously, Robinson is still affected by what happened last year and I told him that it had nothing to do with me, it was the fans. The fans ran away with it and everything like that,” Butler said. “Robinson is just trying to stir the pot again.”
Look, Butler is a very good player and has been a very good player the last four seasons. The Yankees would love to have him on their team. But as good as he is, it needs to be recognized that he is not the kind of slugger fans want to see in a Home Run Derby. He only has five dingers this season. Sure, Cano could have answered the question in a more diplomatic way, but there really is no chance that Butler should be in the Derby. And if it makes you feel any better, Billy, you have killed the Angels this season and I would love to have you on my team.
