SAN FRANCISCO — Robinson Cano continues to grow as a leader, and it is time for Cano to take over leadership duties with the Yankees, who need to be his team.
Cano is the undisputed leader of the Dominican Republic squad that will face off against Puerto Rico tonight in the World Baseball Classic version of the Caribbean World Series at AT&T Park.
The Dominican Republic beat the Netherlands 4-1 last night before 27,527 fans to reach the championship game, thanks in part to the Power of the Platano — more on that later. The Netherlands knocked the Dominicans out of the WBC in 2009.
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HIS TIME: Robinson Cano has sparkled in the spotlight for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, and is set to transfer his leadership qualities to the Yankees, writes The Post's Kevin Kernan. Cano went 1-for-2 last night in the Dominicans' 4-1 win over the Netherlands.
Much has been made about the bad things that can happen at this tournament, such as injuries, but what about the good things? Cano taking a leadership role is one of the best things to come out of this tournament.
Moises Alou is general manager of the Dominican team and he said this about Cano after last night's win: "Robby has been a tremendous leader and has something to say before every game and that has made my job so much easier. He's shown leadership in the clubhouse and on the field.''
Derek Jeter remains the Yankees' leader. Cano will always give The Captain ultimate respect, but there is a void that must be filled. Mariano Rivera is in his last season. Alex Rodriguez is a shell of his former self. Clearly, the time is ripe for Cano, 30, to move into a lead role with the Yankees.
Cano was on base three more times last night and is hitting .517 for the tournament. He was named MVP of the two earlier brackets, and his team has already beaten Puerto Rico twice.
"Cano has grown up so much,'' said Dominican Republic manager and Yankees bench coach Tony Pena. "Not only has he grown as a player, but he has grown as a person. He feels like he needs to step forward and he has done that. Tonight he said to our hitters, 'Guys, we're swinging at a lot of pitches out of the strike zone. Let's concentrate a little more; he will give us a pitch to hit.' That means a lot and it worked tonight. Little things like this will make him a good leader.''
Pena told The Post Cano will take those leadership qualities back with him to the Yankees,
"I think he is ready to do that now,'' Pena said.
"I'm always going to be there if players need me but we have guys who have been in the league for a long time like Jeter, A-Rod, and Mariano,'' Cano said. "Those guys have been there before.''
But then Cano smiled and added, "I will say one day my time is going to come.''
It's coming quickly.
The Dominicans are having so much fun in this tournament, and last night reliever Fernando Rodney brought a lucky platano — a green banana — onto the field for introductions and into the dugout during the rally in that four-run fifth.
Asked if he believed in the Power of the Platano, Cano smiled and said: "Oh yeah, that's one of the things that is famous in the Dominican. People are calling it the Rally Platano. When I saw it, I was laughing.''
Jose Reyes helped key that fifth inning and said Cano is a true leader.
"I feel blessed to get to play in a combination with Robinson Cano,'' Reyes said. "He's a superstar, great player. He makes me better. He makes everybody around him better.''
Cano means everything to this team. He has kept teammates focused, but also has kept them loose. He has an easy smile that relaxes everyone and when he speaks, he means business.
"I can't wait to go back and see the guys back with the Yankees,'' he said.
The Yankees need him now more than ever.
kevin.kernan@nypost.com
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