Yes indeed (I love me some alliteration). Last night, Colorado Rockie (Rocky?) Troy Tulowitzki hit his National League record-breaking 20th home run as a shortstop. You might have heard of the man he replaced in the record books: Ernie Banks, who hit 19 bombs for the Cubbies in 1954.BP fastball machine Kyle Lohse gave up Troy's historic homer in the 5th inning last night. Only 3 other SS have played at least 100 games in their rookie season and hit more HRs (and, obviously, they're all American leaguers):
Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox- 30 in 1997
Bobby Crosby, Oakland A's - 22 in 2004
Ron Hansen, Baltimore Orioles - 22 in 1960
Given this impressive feat, G:TB would like to remind people that Tulowitzki is a viable 2007 National League Rookie of the Year candidate. I realize Milwaukee's Ryan Braun has received most of (if not all) the press this year as the NL's ROY lock (deservedly so), but TTT (Troy Trevor Tulowitzki) deserves to have his name considered as well:
Ryan Braun, 3B
95 games, 30 HR, 79 RBI, 74 Runs, .325/.369/.641 (BA/OBP/SLG)
[How ridiculous is the pool of young 3B in the NL?]
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
135 games, 20 HR, 81 RBI, 83 Runs, .291/.359/.470 (BA/OBP/SLG)
[32 RBI in his past 32 games for a team clinging to NL Wild Card hopes]
In the end, I'm pretty certain Braun is going to win the award, but I think baseball writers (even if they can't spell his last name right), should think twice before dismissing a rookie SS who has been a key contributor all season long for a playoff contender (wow, what kind of mess is the NL Wild Card that I can even write that about the Rockies?). In brief, Gheorghe says "Vote Troy in '07".
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