Robinson Canó facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Canó and the second or maternal family name is Mercedes.

Quick facts for kids

Robinson Canó

Canó with the New York Mets in 2022

Diablos Rojos del México – No. 22

Second baseman

Born: 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)

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. He plays as a second baseman for the Diablos Rojos del México in the Mexican League. He also leads 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.

Canó was born in the Dominican Republic. He joined the Yankees organization in 2001. He played for the Yankees from 2005 to 2013. During this time, he helped them win the 2009 World Series. In 2013, he signed a big contract with the Mariners. He played for them from 2014 to 2018. Canó is known for his many achievements. He is an eight-time MLB All-Star. He has won five Silver Slugger Awards and two Gold Glove Awards. He was also the All-Star Game MVP in 2017. 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. He was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. He is one of a few players to win both a World Series and a WBC.

Robinson Canó's Baseball Journey

Early Life and Family

Robinson Canó was born in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic. His father, José Canó, was also a baseball player. José pitched for the Houston Astros in 1989. Robinson was named after the famous baseball legend Jackie Robinson.

Canó grew up in the Dominican Republic. He also lived in New Jersey for three years. He attended school in Newark, New Jersey, and later in the Dominican Republic. He played both baseball and basketball in high school. In the Dominican Winter Baseball League, he plays for his hometown team, the Estrellas Orientales.

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. He played for teams like the Gulf Coast Yankees and 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 to the Texas Rangers. They also thought about trading him to the Arizona Diamondbacks. But Canó stayed with the Yankees.

Playing for the New York Yankees (2005–2013)

Making His MLB Debut in 2005

Canó was called up to the major leagues on May 3, 2005. He became the Yankees' second baseman. On May 5, he got his first hit against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He also hit his first grand slam that year. He finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. The Yankees manager, Joe Torre, compared Canó to Hall of Famer Rod Carew.

Becoming an All-Star in 2006

In 2006, Canó was chosen for the AL All-Star team. He led the league in voting for second basemen. He had a great season, finishing with a .342 batting average. This was the third-best in the AL. He also had 41 doubles. Canó received the AL Player of the Month award for September.

Strong Seasons in 2007 and 2008

Canó batting for the Yankees in 2008.

In 2007, Canó changed his jersey number to 24 to honor Jackie Robinson. He started slowly but improved greatly during the season. He finished with 189 hits and 41 doubles. In 2008, Canó signed a contract extension with the Yankees.

He made history at Yankee Stadium. On September 20, 2008, he got the final walk-off hit in the stadium's history. The next night, he had the final RBI in the stadium's history.

World Series Champion in 2009

Canó in the field

The 2009 season was a big one for Canó. He hit .320 with 204 hits and 25 home runs. He and Derek Jeter became the first middle infielders in MLB history to both have 200 hits in the same season. Canó also hit his first career walk-off home run.

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

Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in 2010

In 2010, Canó moved to the fifth spot in the batting order. He was named AL Player of the Month for April. He was again chosen as the starting second baseman for the 2010 MLB All-Star Game. He finished the season with 200 hits and 109 RBIs.

Canó was excellent on defense. He had a .996 fielding percentage, the best for a second baseman. He won the American League Gold Glove Award. This was the first for a Yankee second baseman since 1965. He also won the American League Silver Slugger Award. He finished third in the voting for AL MVP.

Home Run Derby Champion in 2011

Canó with the Yankees in 2012

Canó was selected for the 2011 MLB All-Star Game. He also participated in the 2011 Home Run Derby. With his father pitching to him, Canó won the derby. He set a record for home runs in the final round.

He finished the 2011 season with 188 hits, 28 home runs, and a career-high 118 RBIs. In the 2011 AL Division Series, Canó hit a grand slam.

Another Great Season in 2012

Canó batting in September 2012

Canó hit a career-high 11 home runs in June 2012. He tried to win the Home Run Derby again but did not hit any home runs. He had a 23-game hitting streak during the season.

Canó finished the 2012 season with a .313 batting average. He also had 48 doubles, 33 home runs, and 94 RBIs. The Yankees kept him for the 2013 season.

Final Yankees Season in 2013

On April 13, 2013, Canó played shortstop for the first time. He was named the AL captain for the 2013 Home Run Derby. In the 2013 All-Star Game, he was hit by a pitch and left the game.

On August 20, Canó hit his 200th career home run. He finished the 2013 season with a .314 batting average, 190 hits, 27 home runs, and 107 RBIs.

Playing for the Seattle Mariners (2014–2018)

In December 2013, Canó signed a 10-year contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Mariners Debut in 2014

Canó with the Mariners in 2014

Canó made his Mariners debut on March 31, 2014. He was named the AL starting second baseman for the 2014 MLB All-Star Game. This was his sixth All-Star selection. He finished the season with a .314 batting average, 14 home runs, and 82 RBIs.

2015 Season

Canó had a challenging 2015 season. He was not named to the 2015 All-Star Game roster. He hit .287 with 21 home runs and 79 RBIs. He improved in the second half of the season. After the season, he had surgery for a sports hernia.

All-Star Season in 2016

On May 7, 2016, Canó hit his 250th career home run. He was selected for his seventh All-Star Game. On August 28, he hit his 30th home run of the season. Canó finished the season with a .298 batting average, 195 hits, 39 home runs, and 103 RBIs.

All-Star Game MVP in 2017

In 2017, the Mariners placed Canó on the disabled list for a quadriceps strain. In the All-Star Game, Canó hit a home run in the tenth inning. This gave the American League a 2–1 win. He earned All-Star Game MVP honors.

On September 21, Canó hit his 300th career home run. He became only the third second baseman in history to reach this milestone.

Playing for the New York Mets (2019–2022)

Canó with the Mets in 2019

On December 3, 2018, the Mariners traded Canó to the New York Mets. In his first at-bat as a Met, Canó hit a home run. On July 23, 2019, Canó hit three home runs in one game for the first time in his career. He drove in all five of the team's runs.

In 2019, Canó batted .256. He had a better season in the shortened 2020 season. His .316 batting average was second on the team. After the 2020 season, he played for the Dominican Republic in the 2021 Caribbean Series.

Canó returned to the Mets in 2022. On May 2, the Mets decided to remove him from the active roster. He had played in 12 games for the Padres, batting .094. On June 2, the Padres released him. He later re-signed with them on a minor league contract.

Atlanta Braves (2022)

On July 10, 2022, the Padres traded Canó to the Atlanta Braves. He made his Braves debut the next day. The Braves later removed him from their roster on August 1. He batted .154 in nine games for the Braves. He was released on August 4.

In 2022, across three teams, Canó batted .150 in 33 games.

Dubai Wolves (Baseball United)

In September 2023, Canó joined the ownership group of Baseball United. This is a professional baseball league in Dubai. On October 23, 2023, he was chosen by the Dubai Wolves in the league's draft. He played well in the league's first all-star showcase.

Diablos Rojos del México

On March 1, 2024, Canó signed with the Diablos Rojos del México in the Mexican League. He had a fantastic season, batting .431 with 14 home runs and 77 RBIs. He won the league's batting title and led the league in hits. Canó and his team won the Serie del Rey championship. He will play for the Diablos again in 2025.

International Baseball Career

Canó has played for 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 batted an amazing .469. The Dominican Republic team won the championship. They were the first team to go undefeated in the tournament's history. Canó was named the Most Valuable Player of the Classic. He is one of a few players to have won both a World Series and a World Baseball Classic.

In 2017, Canó was the captain of the Dominican Republic team. The team had a great start but lost to Puerto Rico. They did not advance to the championship round. Canó finished with a .300 batting average in the tournament.

Career Highlights and Awards

**Championships earned or shared**
Title	Times	Dates
American League champion	1	2009
World Baseball Classic champion	1	2013
World Series champion	1	2009

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)

Personal Life and Community Work

Canó has a son, also named Robinson. His son lives with his mother in the Dominican Republic. In 2012, Canó became a citizen of the United States.

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