Story ties Tulo's NL rookie SS homer record
DENVER -- Trevor Story's two-run homer in the sixth inning against the Braves in Friday night's 4-3 Rockies win was his 24th of the season, which tied the record set in 2007 by former Rockie Troy Tulowitzki for the most home runs by a rookie shortstop in National League history.
Story's homer to left field off Braves lefty Dario Alvarez, which came two batters after Nolan Arenado's two-run shot off Joel De La Cruz, gave the Rockies a 4-1 lead. The Major League record for home runs by a rookie shortstop is 30, set by the Red Sox's Nomar Garciaparra in 1997.
The Rockies traded Tulowitzki to the Blue Jays last July 21. Story, who as a prospect in the Rockies' system spent offseason time working out with and being mentored by Tulowitzki, became the club's regular shortstop at the start of this season.
"He's kind of my mentor," Story said. "It's cool to tie a record that he set."
Story is no stranger to history. He was the first player in Major League history to homer twice in an opener and tied a Major League record by homering in four straight games to start his career, among other records.
"It's been amazing," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "I know he made a lot of noise with the historical start, but he's been very good throughout. Nobody's going to keep up the pace he had going early on. He's a good player."
Story has homered five times in his last 12 games.
The NL rookie record for homers, regardless of position, is 38, by Wally Berger of the 1930 Boston Braves and Frank Robinson of the 1956 Reds. The MLB record is 49 by Mark McGwire of the 1987 Athletics.
Instead of looking at the record books, Story can look around his clubhouse for inspiration. Arenado hit his 24th Friday, and Carlos Gonzalez's homer in Thursday night's 7-3 victory was his 20th.
"We're not doing anything special, not trying to hit home runs," Story said. "We're trying to drive the ball. If they go out, that's cool. But we're not really talking about a race or anything like that."
Thomas Harding has covered the Rockies since 2000, and for MLB.com since 2002. Follow him on Twitter @harding_at_mlb, listen to podcasts and like his Facebook page. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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