MINNEAPOLIS — Ichiro Suzuki marveled over the success of Robinson Cano. He talked about Cano’s amazing plate coverage and stunning power.
“Usually, when you have that kind of power, you can’t cover as much as he can,’’ Ichiro told The Post.
He then smiled and said there is only one area where Cano can improve.
“If he can get a better personality, he can become a better player,’’ Ichiro joked through translator Allen Turner. “I want him to look at me and my personality.’’
The Yankees don’t have Derek Jeter. Alex Rodriguez began his comeback in Single-A Charleston last night, but they still have Cano. He is carrying the team . Cano crushed his fourth home run in three games last night as the Yankees hammered the Twins, 7-3, at Target Field.
Cano’s three-run, seventh-inning blast carried 405 feet into the right-field seats. When Ichiro’s comment was passed along to Cano, the superstar let out a laugh.
“That’s Ich. That is the side of him people don’t see. I love that he is so much fun to be around,’’ Cano said.
This has been a difficult year for the second baseman because of all the Yankees’ injuries, starting with Jeter and A-Rod and continuing with Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson.
Much has been expected of Cano in this his free-agent season, and he is delivering. He is batting .295 with 20 home runs and 54 RBIs. He lifted the Yankees to a 10-4 win over the Twins on Monday night, hitting two home runs and a double to snap the Yankees’ five-game losing streak. This marked the first time he has homered in three straight games since 2010.
In the first five games of this trip, Cano is batting .571 with (12-for-21) with four home runs and eight RBIs. He is the only Yankee to produce multi-homer games (three) this season. With last night’s home run he has reached the 20-home run plateau for the fifth straight season. Only one Yankees second baseman has produced more 20-home run seasons, Hall of Famer Joe Gordon who did it seven times.
Cano admitted the Yankees struggles have been tough to deal with.
“I play the game because I love to win,’’ Cano said. “It’s not about numbers, it’s about winning.’’
Cano said playing without Jeter and A-Rod has taken its toll. The injuries keep coming with Hiroki Kuroda now dealing with a sore left hip flexor.
“You have to understand you don’t have the same lineup you used to have,’’ Cano said. “That’s why I try my best to win. If you don’t succeed, you are not going to help the team win. If you don’t get the hits, you are not going to win.
“People say this guy worries about his numbers,’’ Cano said of himself. “That’s not true. I know I have to succeed to help us win games. Jeter is a guy who gets on base a lot. Alex drives in runs. We miss those guys.
“They are like family to me. It’s like your own family. If they are not around you miss them. It’s tough. You want to have them back as soon as possible.’’
That is why he appreciates having Ichiro around.
“He’s always laughing, he’s having fun,’’ Cano said. “He really knows the game and knows how to play. I mean over 200 hits for 10 seasons, who does that? I love that he never wants to come out of a game. He is just like me in that way.’’
Ichiro was on base three times last night with two singles and an RBI.
“He understands his swing and does not try to do too much,’’ Cano said. “He goes with the pitch and that has helped me, watching what he does. You have to understand what kind of player you are to succeed.’’
Cano, 30, understands who he is as a player. Same goes for Ichiro, 39.
One man was born in the Dominican Republic. The other was born in Japan.
At home plate, though, they have become baseball brothers.