There comes a time when fanatism gets ugly. For Robinson Cano, it came in the form of having his family harassed in the 2012 MLB Home Run Derby.
On Tuesday, Cano told reporters that fans were yelling things at Cano's mother as she got up to use the restroom during the derby.
Kansas City Royals fans were adament about Cano not picking their All-Star DH, Billy Butler in the derby. He heard it from the fans during every swing, but admitted to not being phased by the jeering, although it did not seem like it.
"If I get booed, I don't really care. But when they start with your family, that's over the line."
To Cano it was an insult and he is glad it was just verbal abuse.
"Thank god they didn't do anything more (than yell). you don't want people to take it too far and do something to your family," said Cano.
it must be a truly scary situation for family members simply trying to enjoy the event and have fun. For Cano that is exactly what the derby is supposed to be, "It's just a game. You want to have fun with it and go home with some good memories."
Aside from attacking his family, the Kansas City crowd looked extremely classless while Cano was hitting in the derby. He did hit a single home run and was eliminated in the first round of competition.
It has hard to imagine Cano getting upset and running into the stands like Ron Artest. Cano kept his cool, despite having a pretty concerned look on his face on the field after being eliminated from competition.
The fans can boo to the athletes all they want, they are used to it, but when family is threatened lines have indeed been crossed.
We would like to thank Robinson Cano for being a professional during what has probably been the ugliest moment of his career.
