SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Nearly an hour after the Rockies’ second game of the 2012 season, a loss in Houston, the year began unraveling. Troy Tulowitzki sat in the left corner of Minute Maid Park’s visiting team clubhouse engaged in a serious discussion with teammate Jason Giambi.
Tulowitzki, as would eventually surface, was hurt. He injured his left groin turning a double play. Giambi provided counsel, telling Tulo that he needed to be realistic about his injury, that his presence was necessary long beyond the series finale the next day.
Tulo listened to his friend. And to his body. He was healthy enough to play, and his team needed him. So he kept playing. The present took precedent over the future. The all-star shortstop, clearly favoring his leg for weeks, eventually developed a serious injury in May that required scar tissue to be removed from his left groin, sidelining him for the final four months of the season.
“I don’t have any regrets, because I could still take the field. I wasn’t going to protect myself. I couldn’t have done that,” Tulowitzki said. “I sometimes joke that if you blow out, you are going to get more respect from your teammates. Stupid as that sounds.”
What is smart and logical for the Rockies is keeping Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez in the lineup together. As much as possible.
Despite their well-documented pitching issues, the Rockies have proven to be a contending team when their two best players participate. Since Gonzalez’s arrival June 5, 2009, the Rockies are 178-154 when CarGo and Tulo are in the starting lineup together, according to Stats Inc. The team is 193-168 when they play in the same game. Conversely, the team is 113-150 when they don’t start together and a sobering 98-136 when they don’t play at all.
“What does that say? That we’d better be out there,” Gonzalez said. “Believe it.”
The Rockies’ fortunes became attached to Tulowitzki during his breathtaking rookie season in 2007. Clint Hurdle, the manager then, called him the “special sauce” that made the other ingredients blend together.
“It’s important I am on the field. Not for my numbers — more because I feel like the guys can feed off my energy,” Tulowitzki said. “I believe I can create a different atmosphere when I am out there.”
In 2009, Gonzalez’s promotion from the minors provided a similar jolt. The Rockies were 29-44 when he joined the team, 63-26 with him. He lifted the team with his defense and later with his bat, especially in the playoffs.
The Rockies are longshots to finish anyplace but last in the National League West, largely because of their squeamish rotation. Any chance of redemption, if not respectability, starts with the left-right combination of Gonzalez, the No. 3 hitter, and Tulowitzki, who hits cleanup. Gonzalez’s promising 2012 season turned hollow with a forgettable second half. After making his first all-star team, he batted .261 with 18 extra-base hits. He talked about losing Tulo’s protection in the lineup, saying at one point that he needed the shortstop “more than (Tulo’s) wife needs him.”
Tulowitzki laughed when the quote was brought up last week. Was CarGo right?
“Probably,” he said with a smirk.
Buried deeper in the exchange are revealing aspects of the Tulo-CarGo relationship. They don’t hang out together off the field but are nearly inseparable on the field, and during practice. Tulo has called CarGo the best he’s ever played with. Reminiscing about his All-Star Game, Gonzalez said of Tulo without prompting that “we have the best shortstop in the game. Maybe the best player in the game. We are better when he’s playing, because he’s so good.”
According to fangraphs.com, the Rockies rank first in projected shortstop wins above replacement this season. Tulowitzki has averaged nearly six WAR since 2009, his first year with Gonzalez, an extraordinary total.
“Our best shot is when he’s out there,” new Rockies manager Walt Weiss has said repeatedly. “That’s a pretty special combination.”
Tulo and CarGo also challenge each other. There’s no denying that the team dynamic is different when they aren’t playing.
“He definitely provides motivation. When you see how hard he works, how can you not want to follow him?” Gonzalez said.
Added Tulowitzki: “We want to keep pace with each other. We are both so competitive. He’s CarGo. Not too many guys are going to say anything to him. But I know I can get on him when I need to. There are times that I pick and choose, and I believe he respects that. I certainly respect him.”
Both have made concessions to remain on the field. Gonzalez was switched to left field full time to ease the burden on his legs and limit his collisions with outfield walls, caused in part by playing all three outfield positions and never gaining familiarity with one. Tulowitzki does leg-strengthening exercises every morning beginning at 6:30 and has begrudgingly limited his practice time.
Less can be more in practice, because more of Tulo and CarGo gives the Rockies a chance.
“I am a bigger body guy at a demanding position. I knew I was going to face some challenges because of my size and how I play the game,” Tulo- witzki said. “It would be different if I hadn’t given 100 percent when I got hurt. It’s just about being smarter, taking days off when they are given. Even without knowing those numbers, we both realize how important it is that we stay in the lineup and help our team.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1294, trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck
Two sure beats none
The Rockies are a better team when all-stars Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez play. A much better team, despite the team’s well-documented pitching issues. A look:
With both in lineup; Without both in lineup
Games: 332; 263
Record: 178-154; 113-150
Winning %: .536; .430
Playing in same game; Without them playing at all
Games: 361; 234
Record: 193-168; 98-136
Winning %: .535; .419
Source: Stats Inc.
