Former Colorado Rockies legendary shortstop Troy Tulowitzki announced his retirement with a statement on Thursday.

Tulowitzki had been on the injured list with New York Yankees. The now 34-year-old had struggled to stay on the field since 2017, battling numerous injuries.

But before the injury-riddled finish to his career, Tulowitzki played in five all-star games and had a stretch with Colorado where he finished in the top 10 of MVP voting for three straight seasons.

According to baseball-reference.com stats, "Tulo" ranks third among all-time Rockies players in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at 39.4 on the day of his retirement — Nolan Arenado is right on his tail and likely will pass soon.

As of Troy Tulowitzki's retirement on July 25, 2019.

  1. Todd Helton 61.2
  2. Larry Walker 48.3
  3. Troy Tulowitzki 39.4
  4. Nolan Arenado 36.0*
  5. Carlos Gonzalez 23.5
    *still active with the team

The Rockies drafted Tulowitzki with the seventh overall pick of the 2005 MLB draft. The shortstop remarkably finished second in Rookie of the Year voting just two seasons later, the season Colorado advanced to its only World Series.

Tulowitzki emerged as the centerpiece of the Rockies infield for 10 seasons, batting .299 with 188 homers and 657 RBI in that span.

Tulowitzki was traded away at the 2015 trade deadline with LaTroy Hawkins to the Toronto Blue Jays for Miguel Castro, Jeff Hoffman, Jose Reyes and Jesus Tinoco. "Tulo" solidified the Blue Jays middle infield and the team reached back-to-back ALCS appearances.

 

More From Power 102.9 NoCo - KARS-FM