SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -If it hadn’t yet sunk in for rookie Troy Tulowitzki the significance of his unassisted triple play, he got a better idea Monday.
Tulowitzki walked into Colorado’s clubhouse and was told by clubhouse manager Keith Schulz that his jersey and hat were headed to Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame.
On Sunday, the Rockies shortstop turned the 13th unassisted triple play in major league history and first since shortstop Rafael Furcal did it for Atlanta on Sept. 10, 2003, against St. Louis.
“Only 13 people have done it – that’s not too many people,” Tulowitzki said before his team opened a two-game series against the San Francisco Giants. “To say you’re one of them is an honor and something you’ll never forget.”
Tulowitzki, who received close to 50 congratulatory voicemails and text messages, accomplished the rare feat in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves. Kelly Johnson and Edgar Renteria reached on singles and were running on a 3-2 pitch when Tulowitzki caught Chipper Jones’ line drive behind second base. The rookie stepped on the bag to double up Johnson, then tagged Renteria for the third out.
Tulowitzki returned to his native Bay Area for the first time as a big leaguer and had many last-minute ticket requests from family and friends, though acknowledged it probably wasn’t just to see him a day after his spectacular moment. Barry Bonds’ home run chase is a much more popular attraction these days.
First baseman Todd Helton treated Tulowitzki to lunch Monday in San Francisco, apologizing to the rookie for throwing the special ball into the stands moments after the play. The Rockies were still hoping to track down the ball.
Tulowitzki received his share of razzing from teammates Monday after the play was shown again and again on ESPN. Right-hander Josh Fogg was in the middle of a nap back at the team hotel but kept getting interrupted by the TV highlights.
“He heard my name so many times he said it was the last time he wanted to hear my name,” said Tulowitzki, who now might consider taking a trip to the Hall of Fame to see his gear. “Now that I have something there, it might make it that much more special.”
Tulowitzki even tried for another out.
He went back and touched second base again, then threw to first just to be on the safe side.
“I had to make sure I did everything right,” he said with a grin.
Manager Clint Hurdle praised Tulowitzki’s defense all weekend, pointing to several other more impressive plays by his shortstop.
“That was a special moment but it’s not like he did something extraordinary. He made a handful of plays in that three-game series that were a lot more difficult than that triple play. It’s unique he got to do it in his rookie season. It was appropriate. He has a flair for doing special things.”
It was the second triple play in the Rockies’ 13-year history and the second in the majors this season. Philadelphia did it against the Cincinnati Reds on April 21.
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