Tucson – Cal Ripken Jr. landed in Cooperstown this winter as a near-unanimous selection. But the big winners are his followers. For the better part of two decades, a shortstop no longer has to be, well, a short stop.
At 6-feet-3, 205 pounds, Troy Tulowitzki is the Rockies’ shortstop of the future. He looks as much like a middle linebacker as a middle infielder.
“I do think Cal Ripken changed how coaches thought about the position,” Tulowitzki said. “He was already a star when I started playing (in Little League) and I never had coaches saying I should play another position.”
Tulowitzki, 22, grew up a Ripken fan. He made a point to attend Orioles games when Baltimore played at Oakland.
Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd, who previously worked in Baltimore, labeled Ripken a pioneer. Ripken never set out to be an innovator, but nonetheless is pleased when he sees players of Tulowitzki’s stature not automatically funneled to a corner position.
“I am very proud that I played a small role in that. I didn’t change the game by myself,” Ripken said. “I think I helped change the mind-set. Here you have guys like Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez who are still paving the way. Maybe that wouldn’t have happened if I wasn’t kept there, and I am proud of that.”
Bard in the family
Two winters ago, the Rockies attempted to reacquire catcher Josh Bard, a one-time prospect they reluctantly included in a trade to acquire Jacob Cruz in 2001. Bard, a former star at Cherry Creek High School, works out at Coors Field in the winter, which led to a job opportunity for his brother Mike.
Manager Clint Hurdle confirmed Monday that Mike Bard, a former college hitting coach, has been hired to throw batting practice during home games. Bard worked with Clint Barmes this winter as he attempts to rebound from his protracted slump.
Footnotes
An all-star last season with the Kansas City Royals, pitcher Mark Redman remains unemployed. Kansas City asked him to return on a minor-league deal. No one is more surprised than the Rockies’ Brian Lawrence, who is Redman’s brother-in-law. “I have been saying for a month that he was going to be signed somewhere. It’s hard to believe.” … Catcher Yorvit Torrealba admitted his right shoulder never felt 100 percent last season, but doesn’t expect it to be an issue this spring. Regarding the competition with Chris Iannetta and Javy Lopez, he said: “I have respect for them, but I am going to just go out there and do my thing.”
