Troy Tulowitzki circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning during his debut for the Blue Jays on Wednesday night against Philadelphia at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. (Tom Szczerbowski, Getty Images)
St. Louis — Troy Tulowitzki’s Toronto debut was must-see TV for the Rockies.
The former Rockies star shortstop homered and also hit two doubles in his as Toronto hammered the Philadelphia Phillies 8-2 on Wednesday night.
“I was thrilled for Tulo,” manager Walt Weiss said Thursday afternoon. “That’s not an easy situation, but Tulo’s a special player, so it didn’t surprise me to see him do that.”
New Toronto Blue Jays’ shortstop Troy Tulowitzki warms up before making his Blue Jays debut on Wednesday.
(Darren Calabrese, The Canadian Press via AP)
The Rockies watched Tulo’s debut before they flew from Chicago to St. Louis Wednesday night. Tulowitzki, who wore Rockies purple ever since he made his big-league debut on Aug. 30, 2006, was in a blockbuster deal in which the Rockies picked up shortstop Jose Reyes and three pitching prospects.
“I was so happy for him,” said third baseman Nolan Arenado, who’s a close friend of Tulowitzki’s. “He stepped up in a big moment, and that’s what great ballplayers do.”
Second baseman DJ LeMahieu said he expects Tulowitzki, a five-time all-star, to take his game to another level.
“That’s just who he is,” LeMahieu said. “He’s in a pennant race now and I think that he’ll respond. He’s been playing well, but I can see him taking him game to another level.”
Arenado agreed.
“That’s absolutely true,” Arenado said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Tulo do some things that make you stop and say, ‘Wow, I haven’t seen that since he was younger!’ I wouldn’t be surprised by that at all.
“He’s going for the playoffs now, so there is an adrenaline rush. I think he’s going to have fun going to the ballpark every day. That’s the main thing for him, knowing he’s got a chance to compete. That’s what he’s told me he’s always wanted to do, so he’s excited.”
Tags: DJ Lemahieu, Nolan Arenado, Troy Tulowsitzki, Walt Weiss
