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Monday, 28 June 2010 16:40 |
By Michele D’Altorio
For some baseball players, joining a team in an independent league signifies one last career pit stop before retiring from the game. For others, like former New York Met Robinson Cancel, it’s a way to get back into the big leagues.
 According to Cancel, a catcher, his love for the game was practically inherited. Cancel’s father used to play, and growing up, Cancel played for the Little League and for his high school team. In 1994, he began his professional career when he was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 16th round of the draft.
In 2007, a lifelong dream came true for Cancel when he was given the opportunity to play for the New York Mets organization. “I’ve always been a Mets fan since I was a kid,” he says. He has spent the last three seasons in the Mets organization, and has played in the major leagues for parts of the last two seasons.
The thing that stands out most in Cancel’s mind about his time with the Mets is the game-winning hit he had on June 15, 2008. Cancel pinch-hit for Pedro Martinez in the bottom of the sixth inning with the bases loaded. He got a base hit and drove in two runs. “That was my first hit [for the Mets],” Cancel says. “It was nice.”
After being released by the Mets in January 2009, Cancel underwent offseason surgery on his elbow. Cancel, who already had experience playing for independent leagues decided to call the Long Island Ducks, a team in the Atlantic League. They were looking for a catcher, and Cancel was signed.
According to Bud Harrelson, owner and coach of the Ducks and a former Met himself, the team is lucky to have Cancel. “He’s smart, he handles the pitches well … he’s tough to strike out,” Harrelson says. “He’s quite a guy.”
“He’s great,” Ducks pitcher Randy Leek, agrees. “He does a great job. He understands the hitters, he understands the pitcher, he knows their strengths and weaknesses … personally, I’m really comfortable with him.”
 An important element of the relationship between a pitcher and a catcher is trust. Pitchers often turn to the catcher when they are unsure of what to throw. Leek certainly trusts Cancel. “He calls a great game. I don’t have to worry about shaking off too much, and as a pitcher that’s a great thing to have,” he explains.
Luckily, Leek didn’t have to readjust too much when the Ducks signed Cancel. The two had worked together in 2005 when they both played for the St. Louis Cardinals organization. “It’s always nice to have a catcher that knows you,” Leek explains. “At the start of the season, it’s a learning process for everybody … it takes a lot less time to get back into it [when you’ve already worked together].”
In addition to being a talented and reliable catcher, Cancel has been putting up some pretty impressive numbers this season for the Ducks. At the start of the summer, his batting average is .303. He’s had three home runs and 21 RBIs. “He’s a pro,” Harrelson says. “That’s what we say about players who really know the game and know what they’re doing.”
So what’s next for Cancel? For now, continuing to play hard and do his best. “It’s been fun so far,” Cancel says of his time on the Ducks. “I’m trying to make the best numbers I can and show scouts and teams I’m ready, and hopefully get back [to the major leagues].”
Looking further into the future, Harrelson sees an additional career for Cancel. “I’m sure he’s probably thinking about being a coach someday,” Harrelson says, citing Cancel’s easygoing demeanor and respect for the other players as reasons why the catcher would succeed. “I think he’s a good baseball person, and I’m sure he’d be a good coach.” |
