Jukebox » You dont see the red-hot passion in him

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Retired Yankees closer Mariano Rivera says he would take Bostons Dustin Pedroia over former teammate Robinson Cano as his top second baseman. Thats fine by Cano, who insists he respects Rivera as the best ever, no matter what. "There is no doubt that he is a Hall of Fame-caliber talent," Rivera said about Cano in his new book published Tuesday. "Its just a question of whether he finds the drive that you need to get there." "I dont think Robby burns to be the best. I think hes content to enjoy the game and help his team and go home. You dont see the red-hot passion in him that you see in most elite players," Rivera said. Cano has moved on out West with Seattle, determined not to let Riveras words in "The Closer: My Story" affect him or his new team. "Everybody has a different opinion. Thats his opinion and I have to respect his opinion," Cano said before Tuesday nights game at Oakland. "Im not going to go too far into this. Thats the only thing that I can say. My focus right now is this team. Im here, were winning. I was over there already and now Im here and now Im focused on the team. Im going to be excited for my teammates." Baseballs career saves leader played nine seasons with Cano. Rivera retired after last year, and Cano left the Yankees in the off-season and joined the Mariners on a $240 million, 10-year contract as the new centerpiece of the franchise. Rivera played against Pedroia for eight years in New Yorks rivalry with the Red Sox. "Nobody plays harder, gives more, wants to win more. He comes at you hard for 27 outs, every time. Its a special thing to see, a little guy like that who is willing to do whatever it takes," Rivera said. "If I have to win one game, Id have a hard time taking anybody over Dustin Pedroia as my second baseman." Rivera cites Roberto Alomar and former teammate Chuck Knoblauch as second baseman hed consider alongside Cano in the debate over the best at the position. In the end, Rivera decides on Pedroia. Cano has played at least 159 games in each of the past seven years -- and Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon insists that durability shows plenty about his love for the game and desire to be great and stay in the lineup every day. Cano will let those numbers provide all the necessary information. "Everybody knows I play 160 games," he said. "How does Mariano feel? I respect that and Im always going to have respect for him, a guy that I spent nine years with and for me is always going to be the best closer. Thats how I feel." McClendon said he was "surprised" to learn of Riveras remarks regarding Cano. "Im extremely proud, Im humbled and I feel blessed to be able to manage a guy of Robinson Canos character and his ability to play the game of baseball. Hes a Seattle Mariner and Im proud to have him," McClendon said. "One thing I know about human nature, I dont know what Robinson Cano is feeling inside, just like you dont know what Im feeling inside. Its impossible for me to justify that or answer that. All I can tell you is check the book, he plays 160, 162 games a year. I think thats pretty good passion. "The last nine years, hes been the best second baseman in baseball, offensively and defensively, and the awards and the numbers back it up." In the book, written with New York Daily News reporter Wayne Coffey, Rivera says there has been a decrease in atmosphere at New York home games following the move to new Yankee Stadium for the 2009 season. "It doesnt hold noise, or home-team fervour, anywhere near the way the old place did," he said. "The old Stadium was our 10th man -- a loud and frenzied cauldron of pinstriped passion, with a lot of lifers in the stands. Maybe Im wrong, but its hard to see that the new place can ever quite duplicate that." 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Coach Chuck Pagano said that Bradshaw met with medical specialists Thursday, and the player and doctors will decide whats best. "I dont know ultimately where that is," Pagano said. "But in the end, it will be up to Ahmad and the doctors." Bradshaw hasnt practiced for two weeks after he took a hit in the opening series against the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago. He finished the game with 19 carries for 95 yards and a touchdown, but hasnt practiced or played since. Bradshaw has 41 carries for 186 yards and seven catches for 42 yards this season. He could have neck surgery or he let the injury heal on its own, a person with knowledge of the medical options told The Associated Press late Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not provided specific details about the injury. Losing Bradshaw would be another blow for Indy (3-1), which shares the AFC South lead with Tennessee despite losing three offensive starters with season-ending injuries -- tight end Dwayne Allen (hip), running back Vick Ballard (knee) and left guard Donald Thomas (quad). The Colts traded last week for Cleveland running back Trent Richardson, who started last weekend against Jacksonville and is likely to start again Sunday against the Seahawks (4-0). In two games with the Colts, Richardson has 95 yards on 33 carries and two TDs.dddddddddddd "I like what I see," Pagano said. "I like sitting back there and watching him practice every day. Every time we hand him the ball, it makes me smile." The Giants released Bradshaw as part of last winters roster purge. He ran for 1,015 yards on 221 carries (4.6 yards per carry) and scored six touchdowns in 2012, missing four games with injuries. In six seasons with New York, Bradshaw rushed for 4,232 yards and 32 touchdowns and won two Super Bowl rings. Donald Brown has 13 carries for 120 yards this year and the Colts will add Robert Hughes to the rushing mix as well. The Colts expected an improved running game since offensive co-ordinator Pep Hamilton joined the team when Bruce Arians left for the Arizona Cardinals head coaching job. So far, the offence on the ground has impressed veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne. "Weve been talking about it since the off-season and its starting to come to life," Wayne said. "As a receiver it definitely helps when you have a running game thats going to keep the defence honest." But the way players continue to push Indys ground game forward despite setbacks hasnt been a surprise. "Even before Coach Pagano was here, the motto was always, Next man up," Wayne said. "Coach Pagano, since hes been here, hes been preaching the same thing. Guys have been able to step in and do their job." 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