Pirates skipper remembers time with Tulo

NEW YORK -- Clint Hurdle watched Troy Tulowitzki change the Rockies.

Hurdle was Tulo's first Major League manager, and was there for the first four seasons of Tulowitzki's career. Hurdle saw the young shortstop blossom into a star -- from his National League Rookie of the Year Award runner-up season in 2007 that sparked the Rock-tober Rockies to the NL pennant, to the beginnings of his brilliant run as one of the game's best all-around shortstops from 2009-15.

Tulowitzki retired Thursday. Hurdle heard the news later that night. Before Friday's series opener against the Mets -- the same team Tulo made his MLB debut against 13 years ago at Coors Field, on Aug. 30, 2006 -- the Pirates skipper reflected on their time together in Colorado.

"He's one of the few players that I've had that showed up his rookie year and made a difference," said Hurdle, now managing in his 17th Major League season. "He made a difference in the infield, he made a difference in the lineup. He brought a particular edge and energy to our club that we didn't maybe have enough of. That became a contagion for us."

Tulowitzki could do it all. But Hurdle remembers one thing more than anything else: The throws. The leaping throws from deep in the hole at shortstop that Tulo prided himself on making -- the same ones that Tulowitzki's own idol, Derek Jeter, made iconic.

"It's just, the plays at short," Hurdle said. "He, for me, reignited that jump pass. The Sammy Baugh jump pass. I can remember as a kid, my dad talking about Sammy Baugh throwing a football -- jump pass -- and I never really knew what he meant, but I'd watch it, I'd learn. Then I watched some shortstops play. And Tulo was the first guy that I ever had that could take that backhand in the hole, get up, get air, and throw a rocket to first base.

"And he practiced it. His practice sessions defensively, I more often than not would take the throws at first. They were amazing. The detail. The effort. The work that was put in."

Even this offseason, as Tulowitzki pursued one final comeback attempt following several injury-marred years and a full season off the field, Hurdle was trying to convince his former player to come play for the Pirates.

"I talked to him this winter, multiple times, trying to get him to come into camp and take a peek with us," Hurdle said.

There was ultimately no reunion in Pittsburgh, as Tulowitzki joined the Yankees for his final big league stint. He ends his career a five-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glover and two-time Silver Slugger. At his peak, he was one of the best of his generation at his position.

"He's a special player," Hurdle said. "And there's probably a generation of fans that are more gravitated to him as a shortstop than many others because of the way he played. People in Colorado -- I mean, he's gonna hold a place in their heart forever."