ROCKIES SHORTSTOP BLASTS HIS WAY INTO MVP CONVERSATION
Rockies shortstop blasting his way into MVP conversation
It was Carlos Gonzalez who brought up “MVP” in the Rockies clubhouse late Wednesday night.
“He’s just one of those kids who just wants to get better, and continues to get better every year,” Gonzalez said. “He’s definitely in the MVP conversation now. He’s been carrying the team. Plus, he’s been playing tremendous defense. He can do it all.”
The “kid” is Trevor Story, the Rockies’ 25yearold shortstop who blasted his way into the national baseball consciousness by bombing three home runs in the Rockies’ 53 victory over San Francisco, including a 505footer that ranks as the longest in Coors Field history, as well as the longest in Rockies history.
“As soon as it came off the bat, I said, ‘Oh, man, that’s going to hit the scoreboard, and it’s going to go straight to my Lamborghini in the parking lot,’ ” quipped Gonzalez.
The Rockies’ win was their fifth consecutive, keeping them in first place in the National League West, 1K games ahead of the Dodgers.
Entering the weekend showdown against the Dodgers at Coors Field, Story is hitting .298 with 31 home runs, 39 doubles, 95 RBIs and a .920 OPS. He also has 25 stolen bases, making him the fifth shortstop in majorleague history to hit at least 30 home runs and steal 25 bases in a season. The last to do so was the Marlins’ Hanley Ramirez in 2008.
With five more stolen bases, Story
would have a 3030 season, making him the first Colorado player to join the 3030 club since Gonzalez did it in 2010.
Story received a prolonged standing ovation from the crowd Wednesday night and popped out of the dugout for his first curtain call.
Very cool, Story acknowledged, but he clearly has his mind on the pennant race.
“That’s one of those things that you kind of dream about when you’re a kid,” he said. “I’ve been blessed to play this game, and thank God that happened to me. It’s something cool that you can look back on when the season’s over, but I’m honestly more excited about the win at this point.”
Story has five multihomer games this season, including two this week. He’s become Colorado’s offensive powerhouse, taking up the slack for third baseman Nolan Arenado, who’s mired in a deep slump, batting .111 (4for36) over his past nine games.
Just a few weeks ago, it was Arenado who was an MVP candidate, but he’s hit just two home runs since Aug. 6, a stretch during which he’s slugging .385.
“We have been able to win games over the last couple of weeks because we are getting contributions from a lot of different guys,” manager Bud Black said. “For us to be a productive team and get where we want to go, we need a number of guys to get going. But Nolan is going to be there, trust me.”