This former Rockies legend says he’s just as widely recognized as a Blue Jay

When it comes to legends that have played for the Toronto Blue Jays, names such as Dave Stieb, Joe Carter, Carlos Delgado, Roy Halladay and José Bautista usually come to mind. As for those that were Blue Jays but were legends predominantly with other MLB team during their careers, names such as Paul Molitor, Dave Winfield, the late Rickey Henderson and David Price would come up. In the case for the latter group, their legacies were usually recognized based on their teams with the most time they spent playing with.

However, for one Colorado Rockies legend, it just so happens that he gets widely recognized as a Blue Jay as well, perhaps way more than one would expect. That elite player is none other than former Jays star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

This former Rockies legend says he’s just as widely recognized as a Blue Jay

Tulowitzki recently indicated that he gets recognized as much, if not more, as a member of the Blue Jays because of what he did for the club during their 2015 and 2016 contending years, as per Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. Toronto fans certainly wouldn’t forget the time when the Jays acquired the services of the five-time All-Star.

Tulowitzki may not have been the potent productive bat that he was during his time with the Rockies when he arrived in Toronto. But what he did provide was Gold Glove-caliber defense to help stabilize the left side of their infield as they battled for World Series contention. Tulowitzki would spend a total of three seasons with the Jays, posting a .250 average, .727 OPS, along with 101 runs scored, 36 home runs and 122 RBIs in 238 total games played. 

Just for comparison, he put up his best numbers during his time with the Rockies, compiling a close to .300 batting average and .885 OPS, together with 660 runs scored, 188 home runs and 657 RBIs in 1048 career games with Colorado. However, despite such elite production, Tulowitzki only managed to help the Rockies reach then postseason just twice in 10 years. On the other hand, a Tulowitzki-led Blue Jays squad made it to the playoffs in two of the three seasons spent with the ballclub.

More noteworthy was the fact that Tulowitzki commended about the atmosphere at Rogers Centre being “second to none” and that the place was “electric”, likely indicating he enjoyed his time in Toronto. As much as the Rockies legend appreciated the Jays fans in the process, they likely remembered him just as much in his contributions to the team, thus further solidifying his association with the club despite his rather brief tenure.

Things may not have ended as both parties would have liked, but with the hope and excitement that Tulowitzki brought to the Jays and the city during his time in Toronto, he will never be forgotten in the hearts of the fans.