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On this day in Yankees history: Cano wins the home run derby in a true family affiar

PHOENIX, A.Z. — On this date in 2011, former Yankee Robinson Cano blasted 32 home runs at Chase Field to win the MLB home run derby.

Cano hit 8 homeruns in the first round, enough to make his way to the second round where he crushed another 12 brining his total to 20.  The two time all-star then out hit Boston Red Sox Adrian Gonzalez 12 to 11 in the final round. Cano crushed more bombs than big name stars such as Matt Holiday, Prince Fielder, David Ortiz and Jose Bautista to make his way to the final round.

The left-handed hitting second baseman used his bat speed and power to hit some serious moon shots in to and over the right field seats. Cano hit one absolute monster shot reaching approximately 472 feet which made fans go completely wild.

 

A family affair

Not only did Cano win his first and only home run derby on July 11, 2011, he did it with his father Jose Cano pitching to him. Jose had a very brief career in the Major leagues, pitching for the Houston Astros in 1989.

In interviews after the derby, Cano told fans that his father frequently pitched to him as a child, as well as during the offseason in the backyard of his grandma’s house in the Dominican Republic. When giving the opportunity to choose his pitcher for the night, Robbie knew there was no better choice than his long time BP pitcher, Jose.

Cano attributed his win to his dad. In a post0win interview Cano told ESPN reporters:

The best thing is not my swing, It was the man who threw BP, my dad. He’s the one who knows me the best, the one I talk to every day on the phone after games. He’s one of the best fathers.”