Troy Tulowitzki announced his retirement from playing baseball Wednesday, ending a career in which his star burned as brightly as any for a while but not for as long as anyone would have liked.
Tulowitzki, who made his name with the Colorado Rockies and later played for the Toronto Blue Jays, was most recently with the New York Yankees. He’ll move on to his next phase of life, coaching baseball at the University of Texas.
“I’m saying goodbye to Major League Baseball, but I will never say goodbye 2 the game I love. Thanks again 2 all of you!” – Troy Tulowitzki
Thank you, Tulo. pic.twitter.com/nENN4hdSAr
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 25, 2019
A mile-high star cut low by injuries
Tulowitzki won two Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers during his time in Colorado. His adjusted OPS — which takes into account his homer-happy home park of Coors Field — was higher than that of Derek Jeter, Cal Ripken, surefire Hall of Famers at his position.
But he played in far fewer games. After five mostly healthy seasons — and playoff appearances in 2007 and 2009 — he played in only 47 games in 2012. He only played in more than 100 games two more times.
The Rockies traded Tulo to the Blue Jays in 2015, and he reached the playoffs twice in Toronto, enjoying his last mostly healthy season in 2016.
But Tulo missed all of the 2018 season with bone spurs and had only played in five games for the Yankees this season before Wednesday’s announcement.
Troy Tulowitzki‘s adjusted OPS — which takes Coors into consideration — was higher than that of Jeter, Yount and Ripken. Yet, he played in less than half the games they did. Tulo had the talent of an all-time great, just not the durability. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 25, 2019
Moving into coaching
Tulowitzki said he’ll never stray far from the game he loves, and one reason for the timing of his retirement is that it allows him to join the staff at Texas.
Have we heard the last from Tulo in the big leagues? Perhaps not. But for now, remember the years in which he was one of the game’s best players before injuries cost him a shot at more glory and perhaps a shot at the Hall of Fame.
5-time All-Star Troy Tulowitzki retires after a 13-year career. pic.twitter.com/iQpHSFzdka
— MLB (@MLB) July 25, 2019
(h/t Sports Illustrated)
