New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano regrets being suspended for the entire 2021 campaign after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs for a second time in November 2020.
"To be honest, that's something you don't have the words to describe how bad you feel, not only as an athlete but as a person. You want to disappear," Cano said, according to the New York Post's Kirsten Fleming.
Cano, who is still owed $48 million over two years, didn't reveal the details surrounding his PED ban due to legal reasons. However, the 39-year-old did apologize to his teammates before the season started.
"It's a hard moment. You have to sit in front of your teammates and apologize and talk to them. It's harder than playing baseball," Cano added. "This is something you don't prepare a statement for. You have to say it from the heart. I am happy to be back, and I want to be here to help this team.
"My biggest thing was not to be a distraction for the team. Especially this team, they have some new faces. They want to win. They spend the money. I don't want to be like a stranger where no one wants to talk to me or the guys are waiting, 'When's he going to apologize?'"
The eight-time All-Star looked like he had a solid case for the Hall of Fame before his suspensions. He owns a career .302/.352/.491 slash line with 2,629 hits, including 335 homers, and has won five Silver Sluggers and two Gold Gloves.
