TUCSON — His room was a testament to his adulation.
As a boy, Troy Tulowitzki idolized shortstops Nomar Garciaparra and Derek Jeter. He plastered his walls with their posters, and in some cases, their Sports Illustrated magazine covers. Now, Tulowitzki has come full circle, appearing on this week’s SI cover along with young stars Ryan Braun, Justin Upton, Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz and Ryan Zimmerman.
“It’s really cool,” Tulowitzki said Wednesday. “To be on the cover of Sports Illustrated is a big deal.”
Jeff Francis was the last Rockies player to appear on the cover, sprawled across the front Oct. 15 during the playoffs.
Said Matt Holliday of Tulo’s honor: “He’s a great young player. He’s likeable and extremely talented. It doesn’t surprise me a bit.”
