Oh No for Cano

After being hit by a pitch and breaking his hand in last Sunday’s contest versus the Tigers, Major League Baseball hit Robinson Cano harder to the tune of an 80 game suspension. The Mariners were hoping to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001 but the upstart Angels were doing everything possible to make that journey a harder reality. Then Cano’s broken hand put those chances in survival mode but this new suspension is a deathblow.

Cano’s recovery time was to be around 6 to 8 weeks putting his return right before the trade deadline. Now with the suspension on top of that, it’s mid August. There is no way the Mariners can keep pace with there division rivals for that long without there best player.

Cano, personally, has a lot to lose too. He stands to lose nearly half of his 24 million dollar salary to the suspension along with respect of the organization, clubhouse and most importantly the fans. The Mariners clubhouse now has 3 current members who’ve been suspended for substance violations. Cano joins Nelson Cruz and Dee Gordon as policy violators.

Cano probably loses the most in his quest for a hall of fame bid. No player ever suspected or caught using a banned substance has ever entered the Hall. Barry Bonds the home run king with and asterisk next to his name, Roger Clemons once thought to be the best pitcher of our generation, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGuire, Rafael Palmeiro and other using greats haven’t been accepted into the hall because of past transgressions.

This is just another ugly blemish on baseball as the possibly the best second baseman of this generation with not be inducted either.