Ex-Yankee Robinson Cano 'felt the love' from Mets fans at Citi Field opener
Mets second baseman Robinson Cano (24) gets ready to bat at the home opener against the Nationals on Thursday April 4, 2019 at Citi Field. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
The once-unthinkable reality of Robinson Cano, New York Mets superstar, made its way to Citi Field on Thursday in the Mets’ 4-0 loss to the Nationals.
It was an uneventful day for the second baseman — he went 0-for-3 — except for when he hopped over a plastic bag blowing around the infield, one of the many pieces of garbage strewn about in the late innings.
During pregame introductions, Cano drew a modest cheer from the sellout crowd, introduced by longtime Mets play-by-play voice/intros emcee Howie Rose with a “Welcome to Queens!” over the public-address system.
“I felt the love,” Cano said. “We appreciate all the fans that came out today and support the team.”
Closely identified with the Yankees for his nine seasons and five All-Star appearances in the Bronx, Cano said it wasn’t trippy to wear the orange and blue.
“Once you commit to play for a team, your heart and everything is for that team,” he said.
Tebowmania hits Syracuse
Tim Tebow went 0-for-4 Thursday in his first game for Triple-A Syracuse, which also was its first game as a Mets affiliate. Batting sixth, Tebow struck out twice and grounded out twice against Pawtucket.
Extra bases
The Mets are honoring longtime Newsday baseball writer Marty Noble, who died last month, with a press-box seat dedicated in his honor. A small placard reads “In memory, Marty Noble, a writer’s writer, 1948-2019,” and on Thursday, there was a bouquet of red roses. Before first pitch, the Mets included Noble in a moment of silence along with Mel Stottlemyre and Frank Robinson . . . GM Brodie Van Wagenen, standing in front of the Mets’ dugout an hour before pregame festivities, was asked by a security guard to show ID.
