Robinson Cano Achieves Milestone, Building Reputation as Elite Player

Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano picked up his 1,000th career hit on Sunday in a win against the Royals offering even more proof that he has truly become one of the game's greats.

The milestone is just the latest achievement in what's been a career year for the young second baseman.
His .332 batting average is good for fourth in the American League and he's also hit 18 home runs and driven in 66 runs.

At a position that has long been known to produce slick fielders but light hitters, Cano — along with Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia — are changing the way the position is looked at, much like Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra did at the shortstop position.

While Pedroia has evolved into a vocal leader for the Red Sox, Cano has instead fallen into line in a clubhouse full of big names and, at times, even bigger egos. That role appears to fit Cano very well. He's a seemingly quiet player who makes the game look easy — sometimes, too easy.

Former Yankee coach Larry Bowa infamously used to get on Cano's case, but it's become pretty apparent that it was in an effort to get the most out of an incredible talent.

Cano is certainly getting the most out of that talent this year and he's helped lead a Yankees team that sits in first place and looks poised to make another deep run into the playoffs.

While Cano is having a season this year that should get him some MVP consideration, he's been solid since he began his career in 2005. He hit .306 in his first five seasons and averaged 17 home runs and 79 RBIs, solid numbers for any position, let alone second base.

While Red Sox fans would argue that Pedroia is the best second baseman in the game, it's unlikely that even they would debate that Cano has become one of the game's best.