Troy Tulowitzki Retires After Fighting Back to Play for Yankees in 2019

Troy Tulowitzki will be remembered by all sympathetic baseball fans as the gazelle-like Rockies shortstop who hit for power with a quick stroke, wearing No. 2 to emulate his hero, Derek Jeter.

And he even got to wear the pinstripes himself in 2019, connecting himself even further to the man he tried to be everyday he stepped onto the field.

Unfortunately, the naysayers were right this time around; though Tulo was given one last shot on a prove-it deal with the NYY this offseason, his lingering calf issues ultimately led to his retirement, announced on Thursday afternoon.

Though the world tried to convince us all that Tulowitzki couldn't handle a full season at this point in his career, we desperately wanted the world to be wrong. It was not to be.

Tulowitzki was a five-time All-Star in a 13-year career, socking 225 home runs and batting .290. His playoff struggles in Colorado were buoyed by two scorching ALDS appearances with Toronto against KC and Texas, hitting .304 and .462.

At the very least, Tulowitzki recorded a pair of hits in limited duty for the Yanks this season, socking an emotional double on Opening Day and a home run against Baltimore.

And in his day, he could really turn a smooth DP.

Tulowitzki leaves the game on the verge of turning 35, finishing off a career he should be proud of, no matter the complications.