Colorado Rockies: Ryan McMahon, Trevor Story, and the mutual fan club

DENVER, CO – JULY 12: Ryan McMahon #24 and Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies celebrate after a 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field on July 12, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Story and McMahon have not only developed chemistry on double plays, but also working together off the field on their relationship and timing on the diamond.

“Me and Mac are real close so we talk a lot and we’re always communicating,” Story said. “I think we’ve always been pretty comfortable with each other out there. Since spring last year when he was playing second, it’s just been a natural flow for us.”

When told of Story’s words, McMahon quickly deflected the praise back to his shortstop as easy as he would start a 6-4-3 double play.

“Trevor makes it really easy to have chemistry with,” McMahon smiled. “He does a lot of things really well that makes my job much easier. Once I figured out how he was going to do things, it was kind of easy for me to feel a smooth rhythm with him.

“He makes it really easy to play second, that’s for sure.”

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So what’s next for the duo? For McMahon, this spring has given him the chance to focus more on taking the next steps he wants to take as a second baseman. That includes finally being able to focus primarily on one position rather than bouncing between third, second, and first base.

That focus included a long portion at the start of the spring where McMahon didn’t even take any reps at first base. That was a big statement after he was asked in previous seasons to split his time around the infield.

“I wanted to give my whole heart and focus to second base, but whatever happens and however I can help the team out, I’ll do that,” McMahon said. “Buddy had mentioned it to me, making sure I popped over to first and third. Honestly, I just hadn’t. I had gotten so caught up in the day-to-day stuff at second that I forgot to slide over there.

“It’s just easier (focusing on second). When you’re doing multiples (positions), you have to divide your time. It’s not that hard because we have a bunch of great coaches that help us out with planning and stuff like that. So I’ll start working around and making sure I touch those bases.”

McMahon always credits Story for being a sounding board last season as he learned how to flourish at second.

“It made it easier for me to ask him questions,” McMahon said of their relationship off the field and Story’s attitude. “If I wasn’t feeling comfortable with something or if I was having trouble with something, I wasn’t going to be afraid to go up to him, as opposed to if you don’t know a guy very well or something like that, you might ask someone else.”

What’s next for Story and McMahon? How will the chemistry on and off the field develop even more in 2020? The answers to those questions could provide plenty of excitement and optimism for Rockies fans in 2020 and beyond.

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