Cano Retires. Hired to Coach
Hector the Great has played his last game in Calgary. After 19 seasons, 643 home runs, 2663 hits, 1753 RBIs and 2 Landis trophies, the greatest player to wear a Pioneers jersey has retired. Cano retires as the all time leader in virtually every category for Calgary and while it was clear he was nearing the end of his career the news still took some by surprise. The 40 year old let the team announce his retirement, he was too emotional to meet with the press himself.
“I can’t believe it. I thought he’d play forever,” said 3B Tony Franco, Cano’s teammate for the last 14 years. “It is going to be strange going to Spring Training and not seeing him there.”
Cano played in only 47 games last season, primarily as a part-time DH and pinch hitter. While a shadow of the player he was in his prime, he still hit .240 with 9 homers and 27 RBIs. While it was rumored that the 2032 season would be his last, he refused to discuss it as he didn’t want to distract the team on it’s run to the Final Four. He finishes his career in 4th place on the BBA all time home run list following only Bopper Kengos, Morris Pennebaker and Charles Puckett. He is 8th on the RBI list.
“Well he is the greatest I ever saw. The only thing ahead of him now is to wait for his call from the Hall,” said manager and former teammate Terry Cochran. Ironically, with Cano being eligible for the HOF he almost guarantees that Cochran will miss induction again in his last year on the ballot. Of course how incredible would it be if the voters somehow chose to elect both.
The team is still discussing the proper way to honor Cano. It is looking at holding a special day in his honor and there are rumors that the team may retire his number, which would be a first for the Pioneers. A group of fans has started a petition urging the team to build a statue of Cano outside of The Stockyard.
However, it looks like Cano’s connection to the team will continue in an official capacity. After breaking the news of Cano’s retirement, GM Kevin Dickson announced that he had just hired Cano to manage the team’s minor league franchise in Havana. He will be reunited with his former teammate Steve Thomas who is the pitching coach in Havana
