LOS ANGELES — Troy Tulowitzki is the landslide leader at shortstop in the National League in fan voting for the All-Star Game, attracting 975,777 votes to 454,782 for runner-up Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies.
Right about now, Tulowitzki, second overall to Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols in the voting, would give away every one of those votes for a win.
“Without a doubt,” Tulowitzki said. “I don’t play this game to get the all-star votes and go to as many All-Star Games as I possibly can. I play to win games for the Rockies. That’s my job and we’re not successful with that right now. That’s the kind of stuff is what I care about the most.”
Tulowitzki would become the fourth Rockies player voted into the starting lineup by the fans. The others: Dante Bichette (1996), Larry Walker (1997-99) and Todd Helton (2001-03). In addition, Ubaldo Jimenez last season became the first Rockies pitcher selected by the NL manager to start the game.
“It’s an honor to get the fans’ votes and be leading,” Tulowitzki said. “Obviously I’d like my numbers to be a little bit better, but at the same time, the fans determine the starters, so it’s still cool.
“As a player, I do things a little bit differently. Some of my game is appealing to the young fans. I do care about the fans. I can’t stress enough how important that is to me.”
At the moment, Tulowitzki has one thing on his mind: Getting the Rockies out of their six-week funk after an 11-2 start. He went into Tuesday hitting .208 in May, with seven extra-base hits. Before you ask, yes, he’s taking it personally.
“Without a doubt, but that’s me,” he said. “It’s not going to change. Numbers wise, it’s not that bad, but I feel like I’m letting the team down. We’re not playing well and I think a big part of us not playing well is me. I don’t feel like I’m doing my job.”
Footnotes.
Monday’s 7-1 loss at Dodger Stadium marked the first time in franchise history that the Rockies had produced as many as 14 hits and scored one run. . . . Ty Wigginton, riding a seven-game hitting streak (.346, two homers and two doubles), made his first start in right field Tuesday. He has started four games at first base, 19 at third and four in left field. . . . Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn threw the ceremonial first pitch. . . . Jorge De La Rosa will consult with Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Angels’ medical director, today before deciding who will perform Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.
