Tulowitzki trying to downplay return to Coors Field
Troy Tulowitzki hasn't talked much about his impending return to Denver.
"I don't want to talk about it, honestly," the Toronto Blue Jays shortstop texted Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post in reply to an interview request on the weekend.
Yes, the former face of the Colorado Rockies is still sticking to his guns - for the most part. His only comments on Monday's return to Coors Field came earlier this week, without members of the Denver media present.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the fans," he told Sportsnet's Shi Davidi on Wednesday. "Obviously I played there for a very long time. So, that'll be cool. And some coaches. I have some good friends there.
"But with all the other stuff? No, not really. And that’s not saying anything bad about the organization. It’s just one of those things where it’s going to make for a long three days for me."
Tulowitzki's departure from Colorado has been messy, to say the least. In February, the five-time All-Star told USA Today that he'd "never talk to those people (Rockies executives)" again over how last July's shocking trade went down.
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While he and general manager Jeff Bridich likely won't be breaking bread, Rockies players expect their fans will recognize the 31-year-old, who won multiple awards over his 10-year tenure in Denver while becoming one of the most beloved players in franchise history.
TULOWITZKI'S ROCKIES CAREER: 2006-2015
| Gm. (Rk.) | H (Rk.) | HR (Rk.) | RBI (Rk.) | BB (Rk.) | R (Rk.) | WAR (Rk.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1048 (4th) | 1165 (5th) | 188 (T-5th) | 657 (5th) | 435 (3rd) | 660 (4th) | 34.1 (3rd) |
"I think most fans will cheer for him, because he had a lot of great years here," pitcher Tyler Chatwood, a good friend of Tulowitzki's, told Saunders on Sunday. "It would be pretty cool if they did the 'Tulo chant,' but either way, I think he’ll get a great ovation. He deserves it for what he did for this organization."
Tulowitzki, who's coming into the game on a .320/.370/.760 tear since his disabled list stint ended on June 18, will undoubtedly be focused on improving that line and the Blue Jays' record while in the familiar thin air. But the fan reaction to his return has crossed his mind, and he's prepared for it when he steps to the plate on Monday.
"I think I have a fair guess of what it will be," he told the Associated Press. I think they saw a guy that gave it everything he had when he was out there, so I think it will hopefully be a warm welcome, and they'll show their appreciation for me, and I'll do the same."