Robinson Cano Says He 'didn't feel respect' from Yankees

Robinson Cano’s rapid transformation into wrestling heel after signing his mega-contract with the Seattle Mariners appears nearly complete.

First, unshackled by the New York Yankees’ rigid facial hair policy, he grew a Hollywood Hogan style beard and showed it off at his introductory press conference Thursday in Seattle. Cano followed it up with another move out of Wrestling 101, claiming he didn’t feel loved or respected by the Yankees.

Newsday’s David Lennon produced these quotes from baseball’s newest $240 million man, who said he felt the love from Seattle immediately. As for the Yankees, which only offered Cano a reported deal worth $175 million:

"“Honestly, I would say no,” Cano said. “I didn’t feel respect. I didn’t get any respect from them and I didn’t see any effort.”"

Meanwhile, baseball’s all-time hits leader Pete Rose went on Michael Kay’s ESPN New York radio show Thursday and fired this barb at Cano.

"“He [Jay Z] got him a big raise, but he got him an extra 30-day vacation — and it’s called October,” Rose said."

Ooh, sick burn Pete.

In any event, the long-simmering Yankees/Mariners rivalry hasn’t felt this intense since the days of Jay Buhner. If Cano ever wants to win back the love of Yankees fans he could always smack A-Rod with a steel chair the next time Seattle visits the Bronx.