Troy Tulowitzki
The Rockies' five-time All-Star shortstop known for elite defense and power hitting.
via Wikipedia: Troy Tulowitzki · see source
Troy Tulowitzki, nicknamed "Tulo", is an American professional baseball coach and former shortstop who played 13 seasons in MLB, primarily with the Colorado Rockies. After playing college baseball for California State University, Long Beach, the Rockies selected him with the seventh overall selection of the 2005 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2006. Tulowitzki is a five-time MLB All-Star, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner. His arm, range and instincts at shortstop were highly regarded, and his size, ability and leadership skills garnered him comparisons to Cal Ripken Jr., Alex Rodriguez, and Derek Jeter.
- position
- Shortstop
- draft_year
- 2005
- debut_season
- 2006
- awards
- Multiple Gold Gloves and All-Star selections
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Tulowitzki entered spring training prior to the 2007 season competing with incumbent Rockies shortstop Clint Barmes for the starting role. After a spring that saw Tulowitzki win the team's spring training MVP award, along with Barmes struggling offensively, Tulowitzki began the season as the Rockies' starting shortstop. On April 29, 2007, Tulowitzki turned the 13th unassisted triple play in MLB history, during a 9–7 home victory at Coors Field over the Atlanta Braves. As a rookie, he led all MLB shortstops in fielding percentage (.987), putouts (262), total chances (834), assists (561), and double plays turned (114). His .987 fielding percentage set an MLB single-season record by a rookie shortstop. He also won the Fielding Bible Award at shortstop. On September 10, 2007, Tulowitzki hit his 20th home run of the season, setting the record for most home runs in a single season by a National League rookie shortstop, previously held by Ernie Banks. He ended with 24 home runs on the season. Tulowitzki came in second in the race for National League Rookie of the Year, losing to Ryan Braun by 128 points to 126 points, the closest voting in the NL since the current system was adopted in 1980.
In Their Own Story
On October 1, 2007, in the one-game Wild Card tie-breaker against the San Diego Padres, Tulowitzki went 4-for-7 with three extra-base hits and scored the tying run in the bottom of the 13th inning. The Rockies won the game 9–8 and entered the playoffs as the NL wild card team. They faced the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series. On October 4, 2007, in the second game of the series, Tulowitzki and left fielder Matt Holliday hit back-to-back first-pitch homers in the first inning to begin a 10–5 win, and the Rockies headed to Denver with a 2–0 lead in the series. The Rockies went on to complete a three-game sweep of the Phillies.
Reader's Guide
Tulowitzki's defensive prowess was highly regarded. He led all MLB shortstops in fielding percentage (.987), putouts (262), total chances (834), assists (561), and double plays turned (114) in 2007. He also ranked first in range factor (5.39) and second in zone rating (.866). Offensively, in 2007 he ranked first among NL rookies in at bats (609), plate appearances (678), games (155), hits (177), doubles (33), runs (104), total bases (292), walks (57) and RBIs (99). His 99 RBIs led all National League shortstops and set an MLB single-season record in RBIs for a rookie shortstop. He batted .320 with a .554 slugging percentage and 15 home runs at Coors Field. Fans voted Tulowitzki the This Year in Baseball Rookie of the Year, with 27.6% of the vote.
Did You Know?
- Tulowitzki turned the 13th unassisted triple play in MLB history on April 29, 2007, against the Atlanta Braves.
- He set an MLB single-season record for fielding percentage by a rookie shortstop (.987) in 2007.
- Tulowitzki hit his 20th home run on September 10, 2007, breaking Ernie Banks' record for most home runs by a National League rookie shortstop.
- He finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2007, losing to Ryan Braun by just 2 points (128 to 126).
- Tulowitzki was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Troy Tulowitzki?
Troy Tulowitzki was the defining shortstop for the Colorado Rockies during their most successful modern era, wearing jersey number 4. He is celebrated for combining elite defensive skills with rare power hitting capabilities at his position.
What were his key achievements and role on the field?
Tulowitzki anchored the infield as a shortstop known for winning multiple Gold Gloves and earning All-Star selections throughout his career. His ability to hit home runs while playing defense in one of baseball's toughest environments made him unique.
When did his time with the Rockies begin?
After being drafted by the organization, he made his major league debut in 2006 and quickly became the face of the franchise for over a decade. Fans associate him with a period where the team fielded a true superstar capable of winning individual awards.
Why is he considered a legend at Coors Field?
He remains important because he proved that a shortstop could thrive offensively at Coors Field without sacrificing defensive excellence. His presence signaled a golden era where the Rockies competed seriously for division titles and league recognition.
How did his tenure in Colorado end?
Tulowitzki's tenure in Colorado concluded when he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016, ending his long residency with the team. Despite leaving, his legacy as the quintessential Rockies shortstop remains intact among supporters who remember his prime years.
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