I hope to have it so you guys can post your own topics tonight, but there are 2 that have been put in comments that I’d like as actual posts. Here is one from Bob in WV:
OK, here we go and “sounding off”: One topic I never hear about is the value of Todd Helton defensively to Tulo. We all have seen the amazing plays that Tulo has made over the years, but we take for granted that great ability to scoop the ball that Todd makes look so easy. Troy can make his throws from anywhere with confidence because he has a human vacuum cleaner over at first to round-up those throws that are not quite on the mark. When we assess Todd’s value to the team, is that aspect of his defense taken into account?
During the Utah Jazz heyday they had a saying, “Stockton to Malone” – there are even Stockton to Malone car dealerships in Salt Lake. When i think of the duo of Tulo and Helton i’m reminded of that – Tulo to Helton – chemistry of one relying on the other to be there for him. Stockton would assist Malone nightly, knowing he would be there for the pass. I see that same confidence in Tulo and I can remember last season with Wiggy and others at first there would be several missed catches. The error would go against Tulo in some cases, but everyone watching knew that Todd would have gotten the throw.
I love that he has made the fielding percentage of the team better because he is so amazing at his spot. Last i checked the ’07 Rockies still hold the best fielding percentage in the history of the MLB and Todd has a major hand in that!
Happy New Year’s! I got my eraser and wiped the 2011 off the Expo board edge to edge. Here’s to 2012 and the resurgent Rockies! *champagne clinking with fellow RWOers, especially to jaredean.*
I’ve brought this subject up with my wife. Without Todd at 1B Tulo is not a Gold Glove SS. You can add about 7-10 more errors to his stats.
Todd definately does make a difference at first for anyone getting him the ball. I think that a good dedicated first baseman would not make all the catches that Todd does, that it wouldn’t add up to a huge amount of errors, because Tulo would adjust his game. However, Todd is the most incredible receiving first baseman I think I have ever seen.
JulieG, I think you are right. Tulo would adjust his game…and cut down on the number of off-balance throws to first. The result would certainly be a few less of those fantastic plays and a few less outs garnered. Right now Tulo does have the luxury of throwing about anything he can get his hands on towards first as he knows that rarely will the ball get by Todd.
I agree with just about everything said about Todd…regardless of his diminished power, his value defensively is what separates him from the first basemen who may hit 35 HR but are average at best defensively.
But let’s be serious…Tulo is a gold glover not due to having a superior fielding first baseman. Granted Todd does a great job of digging out throws, however the hundreds of fielding chances that Tulo makes( we take some of his plays for granted when other SS wouldn’t even make the play) is what puts him in the elite SS status.
Time to start figuring out where Todd’s replacement will come from..trade, draft, where ever.
almost forgot..GREAT new site! Kudos to jaredean!!!!!