Welcome to Tulo Fans, your ultimate online resource center for the athletic talent Troy Tulowitzki! We provide the latest information, news and photos to keep you up to date. If you don't know already, Tulo is the 27-year-old two-time Gold Glove & Silver Slugger All-Star shortstop for the Colorado Rockies. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or if you'd like to contribute to the site, feel free to contact the webmistress
Star shortstop one of three Colorado stars forced to exit with injury
DENVER — An MRI on Thursday night showed that Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has a broken rib on his right side, according to a Major League source, and is headed for the disabled list.
Tulowitzki suffered the injury while diving for an eighth-inning grounder during a 5-4 loss to the Nationals on Thursday at Coors Field and he is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Manager Walt Weiss said after the game that Tulowitzki has been dealing with rib pain recently, and it was exacerbated when he dove for Ian Desmond’s infield single. Tulowitzki held onto the ball because he didn’t have a play.
Tulowitzki, who entered the game second in the National League in hitting and has been a decisive leader in balloting for a starting spot in the All-Star Game, left the game after the inning.
Additionally, left fielder Carlos Gonzalez was hit on the left foot by a foul ball while on deck in the first inning, and center fielder Dexter Fowler was hit on his right ring finger by a pitch in the third. Gonzalez left the game immediately while Fowler played two more innings before exiting in the fifth. In both cases, X-rays were negative and they’re listed as day to day.
“When he came off, it was very evident he was done,” said Weiss about Tulowitzki.
Tulowitzki went 1-for-3 with a run scored and finished the day with a .347 batting average. He also has 16 home runs and 52 RBIs, and is a perennial Rawlings Gold Glove Award candidate.
“I didn’t even see ‘Tulo,’ really,” Fowler said. “He came in [to the clubhouse], then was out.”
The Rockies could be playing at least in the short term without Fowler, an effective leadoff hitter who is hitting .302 with 10 homers, and Gonzalez, who leads the team with 18 homers and 52 RBIs.
Additionally, regular right fielder Michael Cuddyer returned to the starting lineup Thursday — and went 1-for-4 with a double — after sitting out five games due to bruised ribs.
After losing Tulowitzki for most of last season with a groin injury, the Rockies have not let him play when he’s had nagging leg injuries, trying to make sure he doesn’t put himself at risk for a major ailment. But there’s not much the team could have done to protect him from a broken rib.
“There’s nothing to really talk about or coach through,” said Cuddyer, who said he knows how Tulowitzki feels due to his own rib injury. “Pain is pain. If it hurts, it hurts.”
Triple-A Colorado Springs made a late decision to scratch infielder Josh Rutledge from its lineup for Thursday night’s game against Salt Lake City after the injury to Tulowitzki, and will most likely replace Tulowitzki at short. Rutledge was the Rockies’ Opening Day second baseman and hit .242 with five home runs and 13 RBIs in 43 games before being sent down to work on his defensive skills.
Rutledge is hitting .348 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 17 Triple-A games.
I’ve just added photos from the series against the Dodgers, Reds and Padres. Tulo is currently leading all National League Shortstops in the All-Star voting, continue to vote for him, CarGo and the rest of the Rockies this month so we can send at least a couple Rockies to the All-Star Game!
Gallery Links
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > June 2, 2013
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > June 3, 2013
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > June 4, 2013
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > June 5, 2013
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > June 6, 2013
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > June 7, 2013
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > June 8, 2013
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > June 9, 2013
Before Walt Weiss was a manager, he was the infield whisperer. The Rockies had him put his eyes on the top prospects. He took groundballs with them, provided pointers. And when Troy Tulowitzki stopped by in 2005 after signing, Weiss made a startling suggestion.
“He was better than anyone we had in the big leagues at that time. I told them to let him stay,” Weiss said. “He was that good.”
Then he saw him hit in the instructional league a few months later. Tulowitzki hit a ball over the netting in the center-field fence on a back field in Tucson. That was an area reserved for Matt Holliday, and card-carrying members of the Blake Street Bombers.
“Shortstops are not supposed to do that,” Weiss said. “There wasn’t anything it seemed he couldn’t do.”
Except hit in the clutch. For critics it was the equivalent of Cindy Crawford’s mole. Something easy to recognize and scrutinize.
Truth is, Tulo’s never been bad in these spots. He entered this season hitting .282 with a .370 on-base percentage with runners in scoring position while batting .260 with a .392 in those same spots with two outs. These are hardly the numbers of a player in need of the Heimlich maneuver.
In this season of redemption, nothing has resonated more than Tulowitzki’s huge hits in big moments. He began the weekend with the following line with RISP: .348 average, .418 OBP, nine extra-base hits, 30 RBIs. Extract deeper to two outs in those spots and it’s even more impressive: .393, .485, six extra-base hits, 16 RBIs.
A confluence of factors have helped Tulowitzki relax and perform when his team needs him most. He credits experience, knowing pitchers and how they are attacking him, hitting instructor Dante Bichette’s advice and last season’s troubling leg injury for his increased production.
“With my at-bats with runners in scoring position, it was already a pressure situation and I had the whole place going crazy chanting my name. At times it was tough for me. I tried to do too much,” Tulowitzki admitted. “It’s really paid dividends now, especially on the road, because the situations I have faced the crowd has been the loudest. I am more comfortable.”
The playoffs are rooted in the perception of Tulowitzki. It’s baseball’s version of Arnold Palmer standing over a 40-footer. Make it, and you’re a legend. Miss it, and the regular season becomes a hollow achievement like winning the Bob Hope Classic. So Tulo’s .211 average with a .270 on-base percentage in four postseason series casts a shadow.
“At times I would get myself out. And that will still happen today because I don’t ever want to be too tentative,” Tulowitzki said. “I have worked on getting counts in my favor.”
A conversation with Bichette didn’t hurt either. Bichette, who believes less is more, provided a simple reminder that even if Tulo failed he would be in the lineup the next day. It helped alter his mind-set, allowing him to better blend intensity with purpose.
“He’s relentless. That’s what separates guys at this level. He has a great routine, and a great idea of what he’s trying to do,” Bichette said. “You can’t give away at-bats. He doesn’t give away pitches.”
Yorvit Torrealba is one of the few that has seen Tulo’s growth first-hand. The veteran catcher, who has made a carer of coming up with big hits in a part-time role, has witnessed the evolution. What do his eyes tell him?
“He’s more patient now. He knows what he wants to do, and how they are going after him,” Torrealba said. “The confidence goes from one to 100. He can carry a team. He’s shown that.”
With confidence comes a better approach. Tulo used to be an easy mark for sliders away. He’s been more consistent hitting the ball where it’s pitched, according to Weiss.
“The big thing is that he’s been able to slow those bats down and not get in a hurry. He can sense when they are pitching around him, and he’s not trying to pull those pitches,” Weiss said. “His heartbeat has definitely been under control in those situations.”
Preparation has played a role. Tulo catalogs information on pitchers, watches West Coast games, goes to bed with his head on the pillow and a chip on his shoulder.
“Some of the toughest things I have dealt with have helped me the most. Last year’s injury fueled the fire again. It made me step back and realize that people will get on the bandwagon and will get off you really quickly when things are going badly,” Tulowitzki said. “I have learned a lot. I want to be in those situations with runners on base. I know I won’t always succeed, but when I don’t, it can help make me better.”
I’ve just added game photos from the past week into the gallery. Also, if you got a picture with Tulo at photo day yesterday, we’d love to see them! Just tweet them to us at @Tulorado and don’t forget to keep voting for Tulo, CarGo and the rest of the team for the All-Star Game!
Gallery Links
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > May 26, 2013
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > May 27, 2013
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > May 28, 2013
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > May 29, 2013
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > May 30, 2013
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > May 31, 2013
• Colorado Rockies > Games > 2013 > June 1, 2013
Apologies for falling behind on adding game photos. I’ve just added photos from both Diamondback series, the Braves series and the Dodgers series into the gallery. Enjoy and don’t forget to vote for Tulo, CarGo and company for the 2013 All-Star Game!
DENVER — Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez was placed in the starting lineup in last year’s All-Star Game as the designated hitter, a position not available on the National League ballot. Now he has a chance to win an election.
Gonzalez and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who was invited to the All-Star Game in 2010 and ’12, highlight the Rockies’ contingent on the 2013 All-Star ballot, which was released Wednesday. The Rockies also have candidates for first-time trips in catcher Wilin Rosario and center fielder Dexter Fowler, both off to strong starts, as well as right fielder-first baseman Michael Cuddyer, who represented the Twins in 2011 and could put up All-Star worthy numbers with the Rockies this year.
The process for determining which Rockies will be voted to the starting National League squad — a process in the hands of fans — for this year’s All-Star Game, on July 16 at Citi Field in New York, begins Wednesday. Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites — online or via your mobile device — using the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, July 4, at 9:59 p.m. MT.
Coming off a last-place finish in the NL West last season, the Rockies started this year as one of baseball’s hottest teams. Gonzalez, with his impressive power and series of highlight plays in the field, and Tulowitzki, with his early-season run production that put the Rockies in the lead, were two key reasons, but not the only ones.
Fowler hit a career-high 13 home runs last year, but he had already stroked seven by mid-April. Rosario continued the power that led to 28 home runs last year. Cuddyer took much of last year adjusting to the NL and dealt with injuries toward the end of the year, but this year he has been the run producer the Rockies expected when they signed him to a three-year contract before last season.
Here is how fans can help put any or all of these players on the NL squad:
Fans may submit twenty-five (25) online ballots during the voting period, but can also earn a one-time bonus of ten (10) additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, visit www.mlb.com and register in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.
Fans can also once again participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league whom they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2013 Home Run Derby — part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day — will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 6 p.m. MT on Monday, July 15.
The 2013 American League and NL All-Star teams will be unveiled on Sunday, July 7, on the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show, televised nationally on TBS. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the All-Star Game Final Vote sponsored by freecreditscore.com on MLB.com.
And the voting doesn’t end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International’s independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.
I’ve just added photos from the Padres and Mets series as well as last night’s game against the Diamondbacks. Tulo now has five homeruns on the season and the Rockies are soaring on a seven-game winning streak!
Do you have any personal game or fan photos of Troy? We're always looking for some more great photos for the gallery! If you would like to donate any photos, e-mail us at photos@troy-tulowitzki.com with your name, when the photos were taken and the photos attached. Full credit will be given!
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Created: December 3, 2010 Launched: Janaury 19, 2011 Webmasters:Jen & Kate Version: 4 Listed At:TFN Hits: 2 Users Online
