Robinson Cano has been criticized throughout his career for his lack of effort. This time former Mariners first-base coach Andy Van Slyke believes the second baseman’s ways cost him and others their jobs.
During an appearance on CBS Sports Radio 920 in St. Louis on Thursday, Van Slyke said Cano’s performance this season was the reason general manager Jack Zduriencik, manager Lloyd McClendon and the rest of the coaching staff were fired after the Mariners went 76-86. Hitting coach Howard Johnson, a former Met, was reassigned in June.
“Robinson Cano cost the GM his job, the hitting coach got fired because of Cano and then the manager and coaches got fired because of Cano, because that’s how much impact he has on the organization,” Van Slyke said during the interview.