The Colorado Rockies shortstop will serve as captain of the NL side and select the four other members for the derby. Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays is in charge of the American League.
“To be the captain, I don’t know if that’s something I’m looking forward to because of how tough the decisions are going to be,” Tulowitzki said Monday before the Rockies played the St. Louis Cardinals. “You can’t put everybody that wants to participate on your team. So with that, you open yourself up. “But, at the same time, I’m honored to be the National League captain.”
The event will be held July 14 at Target Field, the night before the showcase game in Minneapolis. Bautista is a two-time major league home run champion. Tulowitzki has hit at least 25 homers in three of the past four seasons.
Although the honor was just recently bestowed on Tulowitzki, he’s already mulling over his options. Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton is high on his list, especially since he leads the league in homers with 20. Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers also is a consideration. Tulowitzki might even select teammate Justin Morneau, especially since the first baseman came up in the Twins’ organization and it would be a homecoming. Given Tulowitzki’s relationship with St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday, he could be a pick, too. Tulowitzki spent some time catching up with his former teammate before Monday night’s game.
