Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano won the Home Run Derby at Chase Field in Arizona, crushing 32 home runs. The three-time All-Star was an unlikely winner; he entered the competition with the second-fewest dingers on the season (14), and he had the second-longest odds to win according to most handicappers.
But there he was, hitting a record 12 home runs in the final round despite making just six outs. And he did it all hitting off his father.
Jose Cano, a former pitcher, was Robinson’s Home Run Derby pitcher. Jose pitches to Robinson during the winter and pitched batting practice to him at Yankee Stadium Friday. The elder Cano tossed 23 innings in his Major League career, going 1-1 for the Houston Astros with a 5.09 ERA in 1989.
Cano said of his father he’s “The one that knows me really well, the one I practice with the whole season.” Robinson also acknowledged he was a little worried his dad would be nervous, but that was not an issue.
Looking back at it, perhaps it’s no surprise Cano won it. He has a simple, smooth swing — the kind that generally leads to success in the derby. While other batters may be able to hit balls farther than him, he can do it on a more regular basis.
This also gave us the coolest father-son sports moment since the U.S. Open.
