An open letter to Robinson Cano

Dear Mr. Robbie Cano

You do not know me; you probably will never know or meet me. We are 7,895 miles apart, according to Google Maps. Yes, why should I judge you, when I’m far away and the fact that I do not know you is not the worst excuse. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you, I don’t even know if you’ll read this, but if you do there is something that I’d like to say.

Now before I tell you more about myself, I’d like to say that this is entirely my opinion. I’m writing to you as a New York Yankees fan (yes, nothing more or less). Just a fan, with something bothering me.

You are with the Seattle Mariners now. Let me congratulate you. You got what you wanted right? Well, it’s no $305 million deal (yeah, we all going to taunt you about that) but it’s quite a huge contract, the third largest contract in history, if I’m not mistaken?

So $24 million a year; what do you do with all that money? I mean, I want to be wealthy one day but that’s too much for my liking. But hey you got a family to feed and look after. Hopefully, you give half of the chunk away to charity (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). 

I don’t want to call you selfish, lazy, crude and narcissistic because I do not know you. Maybe you are, maybe not. The problem is, we do not know your side of the story. Maybe you wanted to stay? Maybe it was Roc Nation’s final decision that you couldn’t argue with. I don’t know how you could let Jay Z, a guy who is more known as an entertainer than a businessman, handle your affairs – maybe he’s in for the money too (don’t know why I said maybe).

Here’s something to think about:

Oxford definition of an entertainer: the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment, or an event, performance, or activity designed to entertain others. Sounds sketchy doesn’t it? But that’s his job, that’s what his talent is, not being your representative. He’s not making you look good at all, more greedy than anything else. It looks like you’re part of the entertaining act, just one of his ploys to get a headline and more dough under his account. He’s getting his cut and you are too, but is it really all about the money, Robbie?

And then the reported blame of Joe Girardi and how you didn’t want to play with him. Maybe you were lashing out, looking for an excuse but saying that he did not do what you wanted is something being self-absorbed. Maybe there was a reason why Girardi didn’t want you to bat in the middle, because you are one of our best batters. It’s his decision to decide what’s best for the team; he is the manager for crying out loud. You cannot just think about yourself! Yes, you have to have your needs considered but when it comes to the team, you have to do what is needed for the team to win and be successful.

I’ve also heard and seen that you told your teammates that you were going for the biggest offer and that you don’t plan on giving the Yankees a hometown discount. A bit shocked at that statement, you know you talking about the Yankees right? Where does a ‘hometown discount’ come into play? It’s called legacy and tradition, not about the millionaires club. You have enough money to do what? Buy another Lamborghini Veneno? You can afford it, or do you have it already stashed in your garage? I’m sure Jay Z has two, you’ve seen it right?

I mean you are leaving the Yankees; it’s not something that can just be stepped away from. You are choosing to leave the legacy and tradition that is the New York Yankees. We all know there is something that even $240 million can’t buy about the allegiance of being a Yankee. Many and I mean thousands will do anything to be in those pinstripes for 5 cents or for absolutely nothing.

Maybe it’s because I’m loyal to the New York Yankees but I just don’t see why you’ll give up the pinstripes for money. What’s the pride in that? Where’s the loyalty Robbie?

I hope you consider it and as Mo said, ‘I just want him [you] to happy.’

I’ll admit it’s going to be weird seeing you in another uniform, when I have only seen you in Yankee attire. Nine seasons later, one World Series championship later and that’s it. I know that you’ll succeed whether you’re in pinstripes or not. You have an even amazing career ahead of you and I wish you the best of luck in Washington.

All the way from South Africa,

From a devoted Yankee fan.