“I guess I never learned how to lose,” Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said during the wild, goose- bumpy ride to the World Series.
Hang on. Tulo is about to cash in on his talent and win big again. Anybody surprised?
As soon as the ink dries on a new six- year contract for the young infielder, you will have 30 million more reasons why Tulowitzki really is the most valuable player in the Colorado clubhouse.
No offense, Matt Holliday.
But the Rockies are going to make this Tulo’s team.
Investing $30 million in a 23-year-old shortstop with 200 major-league hits to his name requires more than big money. It takes nerve.
It just might prove to be the best deal Dan O’Dowd ever cuts as general manager of the Rockies, though. Because $30 million is a bargain price to secure a winning identity for the franchise.
When 21 improbable victories in 22 magical games finally made it safe for folks to love the local National League ballclub again, the most beautiful noise heard in LoDo was the spontaneously combustive chant of “Tulo!” whenever the rookie stepped to the plate.
This city fell head over heels for Tulo- witzki faster than any athlete to wear a Denver uniform since quarterback John Elway was a Broncos rookie in 1983.
While Holliday produced gaudy statistics and first baseman Todd Helton shared the same smile with everybody who had suffered at Coors Field through the years, it was Tulo who represented the true spirit of the Rockies’ renewal.
His face was as fresh as hope, untarnished by all the frustration so closely associated with a team that lost its way for a decade.
Although teammates tease him for being a 6-foot-3, 205-pound kid, manager Clint Hurdle unabashedly compares Tulo to Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who’s nothing less than the most-admired winner in the sport.
Holliday richly deserved the raves for his bat’s heavy thump. Tulowitzki, how- ever, was the team’s real MVP in the eyes of those who appreciate the fine art of defense or the subtle ways a competitor can exert never-surrender will on the outcome of a game.
As the Rockies wait for Tulowitzki to cross the “T” and dot the “I” on the six- year deal with a club option for an additional season, you don’t need to read the contract’s fine print to grasp its deeper message.
Tulo is the man who would be king of the Kid Rocks. He will be counted on to sell tickets and make baseball cool again for a generation of Colorado teenagers who grew up regarding this team about as seriously as that silly Dinger the Dinosaur mascot.
What’s left unsaid: Tulowitzki provides smile insurance against Holliday cancellation.
It’s a long way from certain how much longer Holliday will be roaming left field in Colorado. The two-year, $23 million contract he recently accepted is no more reliable sign of future happiness than franchise owner Charlie Monfort’s goofy annual predictions of a division title.
The definition of long-term commitment carries such different meaning for Holliday and the Rockies that you wonder if they will ever speak the same language.
His contract, however, did buy the two sides 12 months to talk calmly about either a serious hometown discount or an exit strategy.
Getting Tulowitzki locked up through 2014 might be an inducement for Holliday to stay in Denver. But as the 28-year-old outfielder moves closer to the time in 2009 when he can become a free agent, the Rockies will have to give serious consideration to trading him, perhaps as early as at the trading deadline this season.
What’s the bottom line on these big- money deals for the average bleacher bum sitting in the Rockpile?
Wrap your heart and hopes around Tulowitzki.
A fan with a Tulo jersey hanging in his closet might not be quite so crushed if Holliday leaves Denver.
That’s what the Rockies are betting.
Mark Kiszla: 303-954-1053 or mkiszla@denverpost.com
