Canó backtracks: another year is coming

Juan Carlos Gamboa was speechless on Tuesday when Robinson Canó announced at the ESPN studios that he had closed his career with the Diablos Rojos. Everyone at the Sports Center took it as a joke, or a practical joke, and smiled. Just like "Haper," so did many fans of the 18-time Mexican Baseball League champions.

Last night, in front of thousands of spectators at the Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium, the Diablos celebrated their second championship. And the Mexican captain of the Pingos took the microphone to give the attacking signal, in an attempt—perhaps his last—to convince the Dominican star to return for at least one more year.

Like an expert on stage, microphone in hand, "Haper" harangued the Marabunta Roja fans with the chant of "one more... one more," urging Canó to agree to return for a third championship. With one voice, the gathering responded time and again.

And he did it. Canó, with a great career that could have ended like this and nothing would have happened, was convinced by thousands of people and agreed to return to dress as a devil for a third time, committed to pursuing a championship.

“I want to thank you for what you've done for me over the years,” he said, hugging Santiago Harp Grañén, son of the main owner, Alfredo Harp Helú. And he said what everyone had been waiting for: “I'll be back for another year.”

It was the icing on the cake for the Diablos' special night, as they swept the Charros de Jalisco for their second straight championship on Sunday. With Canó, and surely more stars, they're already a contender for a three-peat.