Troy Tulowitzki
Five-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner, and former Rockies shortstop known for elite defense and power hitting.
Troy Trevor Tulowitzki (born October 10, 1984), nicknamed "Tulo", is an American professional baseball coach and former shortstop who played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the Colorado Rockies. He also played for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees. Tulowitzki is currently an assistant baseball coach for the Texas Longhorns.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Shortstop
- Born
- 10 October 1984
- Birthplace
- Santa Clara, California, U.S.
- Bats
- Right
- Debut league
- MLB
- Debut date
- August 30
- Debut year
- 2006
- Debut team
- Colorado Rockies
Lore & Background
After playing college baseball for California State University, Long Beach, the Rockies selected Tulowitzki with the seventh overall selection of the 2005 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut the following year. Tulowitzki is a five-time MLB All-Star, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner. The Rockies traded him to the Blue Jays in 2015. Tulowitzki missed most of the 2017 season and all of the 2018 season with injuries, and the Blue Jays released him after the 2018 season. In 2019, he signed with the Yankees, playing the first five games of the season before being sidelined with a calf strain; after experiencing setbacks, he announced his retirement from baseball in late July. He was inducted to the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.
Reader's Guide
Tulowitzki's arm, range and instincts at shortstop were highly regarded. His size, ability and leadership skills garnered him comparisons to Cal Ripken Jr., Alex Rodriguez, and Derek Jeter. He had a reputation for being an injury-prone player, having played over 140 games in a season only three times and missing at least 30 games in several seasons due to various ailments. In 2007, he turned the 13th unassisted triple play in MLB history. He set an MLB single-season record for fielding percentage by a rookie shortstop (.987) and led all MLB shortstops in fielding percentage, putouts, total chances, assists, and double plays turned that season. He won the Fielding Bible Award at shortstop in 2007. He finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2007.
Did You Know?
- Tulowitzki was born in Santa Clara, California and graduated from Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, California.
- In college at Long Beach State, he had a .962 career fielding percentage and a .310 batting average with 20 home runs.
- He hit his first MLB home run on September 4, 2006, off Woody Williams of the San Diego Padres.
- Tulowitzki set an MLB single-season record for RBIs by a rookie shortstop with 99 in 2007.
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.
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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