IS CANO BEING MANNY?

No one doubts Robinson Cano's ability to play this glorious game of baseball. Many however are putting Cano under a microscope lately, analyzing he's body language as he hits the ball and jogs down the first base line. It not only shows me that he's lacking some motivation, it tells me he's Cano being Manny. What do I mean? This...

Did anyone see Jimmy Rollins pop up the other day in Philly and he jogged to first assuming the infield would catch it for the out? Well, the Mets didn't catch it, they dropped it and Rollins, one of the most talented players in the game stood on first base...embarrassed, Read HERE. He botched another running play in that game too and Charlie Manuel had alittle talk with Rollins. It was publicized and we all knew why...Rollins dogged it, he settled. He also apologized to Skip, you have to respect that.

Now, let's call it what it is, Cano may be talented, but no busting down the line, or not showing you care to the fans is beyond disappointing.

Now, hear me out because I love Robinson Cano. His talent is extraordinary, but fans pay players' salaries and sure, while there are days your heart may not be into the job, it can't be everyday. It doesn't work that way, especially if your paying big money for big seats at the big Yankee Stadium. It's damn expensive. We want to see heart. It goes back to the Core Four for me. 4 guys in Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte that not only worked their asses off, they have a bunch of rings to show for it. Bottom line, they knew they were good, but they never stopped there, they continually tried to improve. They continually tried to go the extra mile. In other words, they never dogged it, they never settled.

Manny Ramirez settled. He knew he had "the gift", he had power and he was clutch time after time  and that, in turn was all he needed for a while. He rode that wave and had a good run. Because he was clutch, we often laughed at him in the field because the theory was "well, he contributes with his bat, who cares about the fielding...it's Manny being Manny." In other words, the fielding  wasn't a big deal, until people noticed the bat speed go away and then, he faded away.

I believe in Robinson Cano, his talent is enormous, but Cano has settled. You can argue with me but it's true. Who else jogs down the line like Robinson Cano right now? Can you name 1? I'm not sure I can. Look, I don't like it. You want to know why?

Because it goes back to Russell Martin from Monday in Tampa. The guy is hugging the Mendoza line, yet, he busted down that first base line to beat out an infield single and get an RBI. It's that moment alone that Cano should watch on a loop in the clubhouse, because, if you want to see heart, Russell Martin showed me heart! Cano lately is showing me laziness.

This post is not to rip Cano for the world to read. I have nothing against Cano. I do have a problem with a future leader not showing the rest of his team that we have a shot to win the rest of the season. Cano can be a future leader like Jeet, like Posada...but not by jogging down the line.

Time to turn up the volume Yanks...time to get wins, and that starts with the guys us fans depend on so much...Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, and yes, Robinson Cano, a guy with amazing talent who just doesn't seem to get it yet. Let's hope he gets it soon... We're running out of time.

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.