Troy Tulowitzki Talks About Returning to Colorado

It wasn’t part of his normal pregame routine, and it might not have been something Troy Tulowitzki really wanted to do, but the former Colorado Rockies All-Star shortshop sat down with the media for roughly 15 minutes prior to his current team, the Toronto Blue Jays, opening a three-game set at Coors Field against the Rockies.

Traded last season by the Rockies to Toronto, Monday was the first time Tulowitzki had stepped foot back into Coors Field since that fateful July day.

“I never really got a chance to play here because I was on the road when I got traded,” Tulowitzki said. “It would’ve been great to have been able to come back, knowing something was going to go down so I could take it all in. Maybe they (Colorado fans) would have had their heads up too, but that’s not how it played out. They have a great shortstop (Trevor Story) to watch now too, so I’m sure they’re happy about that. They can also see me play, see how I’ve aged. It’ll be fun.”

Troy Tulowitzki talked about being back in Colorado and other things during his media session. Here are some of his more interesting quotes…

On returning to Coors Field…

“It’s nice to be back. It is weird. I have mixed emotions. It’s kinda like making my Major League debut. I played here a long time and gave it everything I have. I have fond memories.”

On the impact he’s had on Nolan Arenado and Story…

“I guess it means I’ll be a good coach one day because those guys have really taken off and become some of the best players in the game. I’m really happy to see them doing what they’re doing. As you guys know, I brought both those guys out to my house in the offseason, Nolan multiple times and Trevor once. Talk about both great kids with their heads right where it needs to be. They’re getting better. It’s really exciting to watch. It’s the first time for me where I’m on that other end and get to see those guys I took under my wing like Todd (Helton) and Matt Holliday did for me. It’s really special.”

On how the crowd should react to him being back…

“I think we both should enjoy it. I’m going to enjoy them.”

On what he remembers about Coors Field…

“I remember being a shortstop after I got drafted and taking ground balls and, in all honesty, I’m like there’s no way they’re sending me to the minor leagues. I belong here. That’s something that sticks out in my mind.”

On how he wants to be remembered as a member of the Colorado Rockies…

“There are so many memories. The winning years and the relationships stick out the most. I just want to be remembered as a guy who went about his business. I play with my emotions on my sleeve. A guy who was a competitor at the highest level.”

Next: What It Was Like to Watch Tulo in Toronto

On how he thinks he changed the Rockies organization…

“When I got drafted here, people said, ‘These guys are terrible and they suck. You don’t want to be a Rockie. You’re just going to go there and lose.’ I think that immediately lit some fire in me. I wanted it to be cool to be a Rockie and for free agents to want to sign here. I wanted it to be a place where you can win. Pitching wasn’t always the problem. More than anything, making it cool to be a Rockie is what I hope I helped change about the organization.”