The Mariners’ Robinson Cano entered Monday’s series opener against Tampa Bay as the majors’ co-leader with 12 home runs and undisputed leader with 33 RBI.

The Mariners’ Robinson Cano entered Monday’s series opener against Tampa Bay as the majors’ co-leader with 12 home runs and undisputed leader with 33 RBI.

Mariners’ Cano named AL player of the week

SEATTLE — Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano reaped further recognition Monday for his hot start — and his weekend shelling of the Houston Astros — when he was picked as the American League’s player of the week.

So … a question:

Is it possible the person most responsible for Cano’s torrid production is former coach Andy Van Slyke? Cano broke into a wide grin, threw back his head and laughed loudly.

“That’s a good one,” Cano said as he nodded his head. “You got me.”

Recall that it was Van Slyke who, having been fired in an organizational shakeup, blistered Cano last November in a radio interview as “just the most awful player I have ever seen.”

Van Slyke blamed Cano’s performance early last season for subsequent firings of general manager Jack Zduriencik, manager Lloyd McClendon and nearly all of the coaching staff.

The comments stunned Cano and provided no small amount of motivation. Cano is also healthy, of course, after batting a stomach ailment early last season and playing the final two months with a sports hernia that required off-season surgery.

The difference, by any measure, is stunning.

Cano entered Monday’s series opener against Tampa Bay as the majors’ co-leader with 12 home runs and undisputed leader with 33 RBI. His average, which had lagged, was up to .305 after a 16-for-31 week that led to his award.

“Robinson Cano was Superman this series,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said after Sunday’s conclusion to the four-game set in Houston. “He found a way to remind us that you can’t make any pitches to him when he’s hot.”

Cano was also pretty good earlier in the week in three games at Oakland, where he went 7-for-13 in helping the Mariners to a three-game sweep. But he simply torched the Astros: 9-for-18 with three homers and seven RBI.

“I’ve been looking for my pitch,” he said. “I’m not trying to do too much. I’m just trying to work the middle of the field.”

Cano is 14-for-30 overall this season in seven games against the Astros with seven home runs and 17 RBI. His personal best for RBI against one club in a single season is 18 against Boston in 2006 while playing for the Yankees.

“He’s getting paid a lot of money for a reason,” said Houston ace Dallas Keuchel, who surrendered three hits Saturday to Cano in four at-bats. “He seems like he’s healthy and seeing the ball well right now.”

Cano won the player-of-the-week award on six previous occasions, but those citations all occurred while he played for New York: once in 2005, twice in 2007, twice in 2010 and once in 2012.

Three Mariners won the award last year: Nelson Cruz (April 20) , Brad Miller (May 18) and Hisashi Iwakuma (Aug. 17).

Contrast Cano’s current production with a year ago when, through May 8, he was batting .263 with one homer and eight RBI. His average eventually dipped to .238 as late as June 30 before he surged over the final three months.

“As a player, you go home, you prepare yourself for a good season,” he said. “The best thing is to start (well) early. An example is myself last year. I had a tough first half. Thank God, I was able to bounce back in the second half.

“But you want to start (well) from the first game of the year… It’s good to win an award, but the best thing is to help the team win. That’s all that matters here. Win games.”

The Mariners, at 18-13, entered the week atop the American League West Division. A year ago through May 8, they were 12-17 and already 61/2 games out of first place.

“For me,” Cano said, “it doesn’t mean anything to have a great season if you know you’re going to go home in September. You’ve also got to give credit that we have a great coaching staff.”

Zing.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.