Troy Tulowitzki
A shortstop with a cannon arm and clutch bat whose brilliance was often dimmed by injury, leaving fans to wonder 'what if'.
Born 1984 (age 42)·American baseball player·Birthday: October 10·Millennials
Biography
Troy Tulowitzki arrived in Colorado with the aura of a franchise savior, a shortstop whose combination of power, slick fielding, and competitive fire was rare for the position. 'Tulo' quickly became the face of the Rockies, leading them to an unexpected World Series run in 2007 and establishing himself as perhaps the premier player at his position in the National League. His at-bats were events, and his throws from deep in the hole were works of art. Yet, his narrative became a frustrating cycle of MVP-caliber play interrupted by significant injuries—wrist, hip, groin—that robbed him of seasons. Traded to Toronto in a shocking 2015 deal, he helped end the Blue Jays' long playoff drought but continued to battle his body. His career stands as a testament to transcendent talent and the fragility that can accompany it.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Troy was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Troy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Troy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won two Gold Glove Awards and two Silver Slugger Awards as a shortstop for the Colorado Rockies.
- Finished in the top 10 of National League MVP voting three times, with a high finish of fifth in 2009.
- Was a five-time MLB All-Star, representing the Rockies and later the Toronto Blue Jays.
- Hit a walk-off home run in the 2007 NL Wild Card tiebreaker game, propelling the Rockies to the playoffs.
Did You Know?
He was drafted by the Rockies seventh overall in 2005, one pick ahead of future All-Star pitcher Andrew McCutchen.
He played his final MLB game for the New York Yankees in 2019, going 1-for-1 with a single.
He served as the head baseball coach at the University of Texas for a single season in 2022.
“I want to be known as the best shortstop to ever play this game.”
