TORONTO – There was no shortage of symbolism over the past week in the way Troy Tulowitzki’s goodbye to the past transitioned to the warm embrace of his present.
Last Monday, the all-star shortstop savoured a standing ovation from the Coors Field faithful that served as the parting both devoted supporters and loyal player were denied by his acrimonious trade from the Colorado Rockies last summer. Then, on Thursday, he returned to Rogers Centre, where the familiar “Tu-Lo” chant that was a staple of his 10 seasons in Denver echoed all weekend long.
Sure, that he also happened to homer and knock in four runs Sunday during his bobblehead day made for some good timing. But the show of support from Toronto Blue Jays fans sure underlined the growing appreciation for Tulowitzki in his new home.
“It was good to go see some friends and ex-coaches (in Denver), but really in spring training, I was being completely honest saying I’d moved on and I was happy to be here,” says Tulowitzki. “I felt good this whole year, I can’t say I didn’t feel good at home, I feel great, I feel part of the team, it’s obviously a great team and at this stage of my career it’s all about winning. This gives me the best chance to win being here.
“It’s always nice to hear the chant, but then again, the bobblehead day kind of aids that because people, it’s the first thing they get when they walk into the stadium. Overall, for myself, I go out there and play the game the right way, first and foremost. I care about winning, so I think fans gravitate toward players like that.”
They also tend to gravitate toward whoever happens to be hot at any given moment, and Tulowitzki is on his first real extended hot streak at the plate since the move north. In 13 games since his activation from the disabled list June 18, he’s batting .321 (17-for-53) with six homers and 14 RBIs, part of a bigger turnaround that started before he injured his quad.
Tulowitzki’s overall numbers have climbed to .232/.309/.459 with 14 homers and 37 RBIs in 59 games, still well off his career norms but moving steadily back there.
“I really think that I went down to Florida, it gave me a chance to work on my swing, get back to some good things that I did,” he says. “I think I’ve carried that over. When confidence comes, you start having some success. I’m really just trying to be myself. I think this is really who I am. I don’t think some Blue Jays fans have had a chance to see really what I’m capable of doing. So it’s nice to contribute, but more importantly, winning games is the goal here.”
Tulowitzki’s production at the plate helps on that front, especially amid Jose Bautista’s continued absence, while his defence remains the same steady and uplifting factor it’s been since his arrival.
That part of his game was never a concern, but when he slashed only .239/.317/.380 in 41 games with the Blue Jays after the trade last summer, and then batted .160/.267/.320 over his first 28 contests this year, his performance became a focal point.
In Denver, Tulowitzki noted that it’s taken some time to learn the various American League pitchers and having a certain number of at-bats underneath him has helped. But he also seems to be more comfortable in his surroundings now, too, and with a big day at the plate in Sunday’s 17-1 win over the Cleveland Indians, he made what he believes was the third or fourth bobblehead day of his career memorable.
“It’s always special,” says Tulowitzki. “You think about it definitely before you’re coming to the field. You want to perform well on your bobblehead day. I’d like to say that was my first time I hit a home run. I know (Josh Donaldson) was talking to me in the dugout, saying, ‘How’d you do that? I can never hit a home run on my bobblehead day.’ So I think we all know what’s going on. It makes it fun.”
