Fein's Five Thoughts of the Week

This week I got to cover the Rockies/Cardinals game on TBS. I learned a few things that I can share for this week's Fein's Five.

1. Troy Tulowitzki is my comeback player of the year in the National League. Rebounding from an injury-filled 2008 season with just eight homers and 46 RBI in about 100 games, Tulo has lived up to everything the Rockies thought and hoped he could be this season. As I write this, Tulowitzki sits at 30 homers and 87 RBI. The reasons for Tulo's turnaround? His manager, Jim Tracy, says he'll never forget the first time he met the shortstop. His reaction, "holy &%$#!, It's Cal Ripken." Tracy was referring to Tulowitzki's size. 6'3" and solid. Tracy let Don Baylor and his coaches handle it, but when this year started he wanted Tulo more upright and to hit with power, rather than crouched with a wide stance. As Tracy said, he was hitting like a guy who was 5'10" instead of a guy 6'3".

2. One of the reasons Tulowitzki gives for the turnaround isn't a physical change, but a mental one. He told me he noticed during the 2008 season how Evan Longoria handled himself on the field. His maturity, calmness and leadership were apparent. Tulo had played years ago with Longoria and noticed a marked difference in his demeanor. So the future face of the Rockies decided he'd make a change in his demeanor, as well. The calmness was what he really wanted, not just for himself, but also for his teammates. It is the way he wants to lead by example. Tulowitzki will be a very interesting player to watch if the Rockies hold on to that wild card spot in the National League.

3.  The pitching staff and coaches for the Cardinals are really something special. You've heard a lot about Tony LaRussa, Dave Duncan and all the stars on this staff, but there are a couple of things you may not know. Chris Carpenter still runs the bucket during batting practice. He's the guy who, from time to time, stands behind the net in short center field and retrieves balls from outfielders and then brings the full bucket to the BP pitcher. When I asked him about it, he thought the question was a little strange and said, "Hey, I'm still part of the team." Well, yes, but there aren't many guys who put up Cy Young numbers consistently who run the bucket during batting practice.

4. And remember the stuff about the Cards discovering John Smoltz was tipping his pitches? If you haven't heard, it was something the team spotted soon after his arrival. Turns out the discovery came during a bullpen session when all the starters were watching Smoltz throw. They weren't watching because Smoltz was the new guy, they were watching because that's what they do. Every bullpen session. Every starter. LaRussa says it's something that started with Daryl Kyle. Carpenter says they've done it since he can remember. The more eyes on you, the more a chance someone might see something that will help. He says it just makes sense. When you spend some time around this staff, it just makes sense that they are as good as they are.

5. Finally, hats off to the baseball fans in Colorado. Coors Field was packed this week. They know their baseball. They were intensely focused on every pitch. When the game was on the line, they got loud, and when the moment was tense, you could hear a pin drop. But what I liked best was how the crowd responded to the changing of the out of town scoreboard. They're loyal, passionate and smart. Even though this is still a relatively new baseball town, it's a great place to take in an important game.

Marc Fein is an on-field reporter for TBS' coverage of Major League Baseball.