Robinson Canó facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robinson Canó
Canó with the New York Mets in 2022
Diablos Rojos del México – No. 22
Second baseman
Born: (1982-10-22) October 22, 1982 (age 42) San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic
Bats: Left Throws: Right
debut
May 3, 2005, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics (through 2022 season)
Batting average	.301
Hits	2,639
Home runs	335
Runs batted in	1,306
Teams
New York Yankees (2005–2013) Seattle Mariners (2014–2018) New York Mets (2019–2020, 2022) San Diego Padres (2022) Atlanta Braves (2022)
Career highlights and awards
MLB 8× All-Star (2006, 2010–2014, 2016, 2017) World Series champion (2009) 2× Gold Glove Award (2010, 2012) 5× Silver Slugger Award (2006, 2010–2013) International World Baseball Classic MVP (2013) All-World Baseball Classic Team (2013) BCL Americas champion (2025) BCL Americas MVP (2025)
Medals Men's baseball Representing DOM World Baseball Classic Gold 2013 San Francisco Team

Robinson José Canó Mercedes (born October 22, 1982) is a professional baseball player from the Dominican Republic. He plays as a second baseman for the Diablos Rojos del México in the Mexican League. He also captains the Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Professional Baseball League.

Canó has played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). These include the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and Atlanta Braves.

He was born in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic. The New York Yankees signed him in 2001. He played for the Yankees from 2005 to 2013. During this time, he helped them win the 2009 World Series. In 2013, Canó signed a big contract with the Seattle Mariners. He played for them until 2018.

Canó is known for his many achievements. He was an MLB All-Star eight times. He also won the Silver Slugger Award five times and the Gold Glove Award twice. In 2011, he won the Home Run Derby.

Canó has also played for the Dominican Republic internationally. In the 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC), he won a gold medal and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP). He is one of only a few players to win both a World Series and a WBC.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Robinson Canó was born on October 22, 1982, in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic. He was named after the famous baseball player Jackie Robinson.

His father, José Canó, was also a baseball player. He pitched for the Houston Astros in 1989. Robinson grew up in the Dominican Republic. He also lived in New Jersey for three years. He went to school in Newark, New Jersey, and then in San Pedro de Macorís. In high school, he played both baseball and basketball.

In the Dominican Winter Baseball League, he plays for his hometown team, the Estrellas Orientales.

Professional Baseball Journey

Starting in the Minor Leagues

After high school, the New York Yankees signed Canó in 2001. He received a signing bonus of over $100,000. He started playing in their minor league system that same year. He played for teams like the Gulf Coast Yankees and the Staten Island Yankees.

By 2003, Canó was seen as a top young player. He even played in the 2003 All-Star Futures Game. In 2004, the Yankees considered trading him for other star players, but he stayed with the team.

Playing for the New York Yankees (2005–2013)

Making His MLB Debut

Canó was called up to the major leagues on May 3, 2005. He quickly became the team's second baseman. On May 5, he got his first hit against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He also hit his first grand slam that season. He finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting for the American League.

Becoming an All-Star Player

In 2006, Canó was chosen for the AL All-Star team. He was leading the league in batting average, doubles, and runs batted in before an injury. He finished the 2006 season with a .342 batting average, one of the best in the league.

Canó batting for the Yankees in 2008.

In 2007, Canó changed his jersey number to 24 to honor Jackie Robinson. He improved his hitting throughout the season. In 2008, he signed a contract extension with the Yankees. He hit the final walk-off hit in the old Yankee Stadium history. He also recorded the final RBI in that stadium.

Winning the World Series

Canó in the field

In 2009, Canó had a fantastic season. He hit .320 with 204 hits and 25 home runs. He and teammate Derek Jeter became the first middle infield pair in MLB history to both have 200 hits in the same year.

On November 4, 2009, Canó made the final out of the 2009 World Series, helping the Yankees win the championship.

More Awards and Achievements

In 2010, Canó continued to shine. He was named the AL Player of the Month for April. He was also chosen as the starting second baseman for the 2010 MLB All-Star Game. He finished the season with 200 hits and 109 RBIs.

Canó won the Gold Glove Award for second basemen in 2010. This award is given to the best defensive player at each position. He also won the Silver Slugger Award for his excellent hitting.

Canó with the Yankees in 2012

In 2011, Canó was again an All-Star. He won the Home Run Derby, hitting 12 home runs in the final round. He had a career-high 118 RBIs that season.

Canó hit a grand slam in the 2011 AL Division Series. In 2012, he hit a career-high 11 home runs in June. He finished the 2012 season with a .313 batting average and 33 home runs.

Canó batting in September 2012

In 2013, Canó was named the AL captain for the Home Run Derby. He hit his 200th career home run that year. He finished the 2013 season with a .314 batting average.

Playing for the Seattle Mariners (2014–2018)

In December 2013, Canó signed a 10-year contract with the Seattle Mariners. He made his debut for the Mariners on March 31, 2014. He was named the AL starting second baseman for the 2014 MLB All-Star Game.

Canó with the Mariners in 2014

In 2015, Canó had surgery to fix a sports hernia. He improved his hitting in the second half of the season.

Canó with the Mariners in 2016

On May 7, 2016, Canó hit his 250th career home run. He was selected for his seventh All-Star Game. He finished the 2016 season with 39 home runs and 103 RBIs.

In 2017, Canó hit a home run in the All-Star Game that helped the American League win. He was named the All-Star Game MVP. On September 21, he hit his 300th career home run. He became only the third second baseman in history to reach this milestone.

In 2018, Canó was suspended for 80 games for violating MLB's rules. He returned to play for the Mariners on August 14.

Time with the New York Mets (2019–2022)

Canó with the Mets in 2019

On December 3, 2018, Canó was traded to the New York Mets. In his first game as a Met, he hit a home run. He had a strong second half of the 2019 season.

In the shorter 2020 season, Canó played very well. His hitting was among the best on the team. After the 2020 season, he played for the Dominican Republic in the 2021 Caribbean Series.

On November 18, 2020, Canó was suspended for the entire 2021 season for breaking MLB's rules again. He returned to the Mets in 2022. On May 2, the Mets decided to release him.

Later Career (2022–Present)

After leaving the Mets, Canó signed with the San Diego Padres in May 2022. He played 12 games for them before being released. He later signed a minor league contract with the Padres.

In July 2022, the Padres traded Canó to the Atlanta Braves. He played nine games for the Braves before being released in August. In 2022, he played for three different teams.

In September 2023, Canó became part of the ownership group for Baseball United, a new professional baseball league in Dubai. He was drafted by the Dubai Wolves in October 2023.

On March 1, 2024, Canó signed with the Diablos Rojos del México in the Mexican League. He had an amazing season, batting .431 with 14 home runs and 77 RBIs. He won the league's batting title and helped his team win the Serie del Rey. In April 2025, Canó led the Diablos Rojos to an undefeated championship in the 2025 Baseball Champions League Americas and was named the tournament MVP.

International Play

Canó has proudly represented his home country, the Dominican Republic, in four World Baseball Classic (WBC) tournaments. These were in 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2023.

In the 2013 WBC, Canó was outstanding, batting .469. The Dominican Republic team won the championship, beating Puerto Rico 3–0. They were the first team to win the tournament without losing a single game. Canó was named the Most Valuable Player of the Classic.

In 2017, Canó was the captain of the Dominican Republic team. The team had an 11-game winning streak dating back to 2013. However, they lost to Puerto Rico and did not advance to the championship round.

Career Highlights and Awards

Awards and exhibition team selections

• All-World Baseball Classic team (2013)
• 2× American League Player of the Month (September 2006, April 2010)
• 7× American League Player of the Week
• Baseball America MLB Rookie All-Star at second base (2005)
• GIBBY/This Year in Baseball Awards for Rookie of the Year (2005)
• 3× Home Run Derby participant (2011–13)
• Home Run Derby Champion (2011)
• 8× MLB All-Star (2006, 2010–14, 2016, 2017)
  • Starting second baseman (2010–14)
• MLB All-Star Game MVP (2017)
• New York Yankees Minor League Player of the Year (2004)
• 2× Rawlings Gold Glove Award at second base (2010, 2012)
• 2× Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award at second base (2012, 2013)
• 5× Silver Slugger Award at second base (2006, 2010–13)
• South Atlantic League All-Star at shortstop (2002)
• Staten Island Yankees (Class A) uniform number (17) retired (2007)
• World Baseball Classic MVP (2013)
• Baseball Champions League Americas MVP (2025)

Personal Life

Robinson Canó has a son, also named Robinson. His son lives with his mother in the Dominican Republic.

On November 13, 2012, Canó became a citizen of the United States.

Canó is also known for his charity work. A children's rehabilitation ward at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey is named after him. In 2015, Canó opened a special school in his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris.

See also

In Spanish: Robinson Canó para niños