Robbie Cano should absolutely just say "no" to the invitation to compete in the Home Run Derby contest during the All-Star game festivities.
Since being inserted full-time into the Bomber lineup in 2005, the common thought offered by baseball analysts from one network to the next is, "One day this guy will win a batting title." I agree. They don't say, "One day this guy will win the home run title."
Initially, Cano accepted the invitation. He said he would go, have fun, and not try to do too much--just swing as normal. A-Rod said he should do it, it's an honor, go have fun. Manager Joe Girardi and hitting coach Kevin Long were more guarded and less enthusiastic about the idea, citing former derby competitors who burned themselves out so much that they floundered the second half of the season.
Cano is a foul line to foul line hitter. He is more of a line drive, square up the ball type of hitter rather than one who hits towering fly balls that carry deep out of the park. Can he do that? Sure, but that isn't his natural swing. I would not want Cano to think he has to get a little more upper cut, creating a little more loft, just to show better in the HR Derby. It's not worth it. If he does have some success, how does that help him and/or his teammates as they try to chase their 28th championship?
For Cano to enter the competition and just try to use his normal swing will likely not produce the numbers he needs to compete with true HR hitters. At that point, does good common sense and discipline rule for Cano to just do what he does--if the ball line drives off the wall instead of over it, accept that as being OK? Would he resist the temptation to adjust his swing for the sake of a few more HRs in front of a national TV audience?
Don't even put yourself in that situation, Robbie. Chris Berman's "back, back, back..." schtick is over-done. We don't need you being subjected to the competition, it's possible lingering negative effects, nor Berman's calls. People will enjoy celebrating your batting title and helping the Yanks to back-to-back World Series crowns much more than one made-for-TV night in Anaheim.
