The Never Ending Story of the Emergence of Trevor Story
To call Trevor Story understated is an understatement.
The Rockies shortstop is one of those stand-up guys, always available at his locker at a game, always willing to discuss the status of the franchise, but always in a very calm manner.
How understated?
| Rockies Player | Date | Opp | HR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nolan Arenado | 7/19/2017 | SD | 3 |
| Charlie Blackmon | 8/12/2016 | Phi | 3 |
| Vinny Castilla | 6/5/1999 | Mil | 3 |
| Jeff Cirillo | 6/28/2000 | SF | 3 |
| Andres Galarraga | 6/25/1995 | SD | 3 |
| Jason Giambi | 5/19/2011 | Phi | 3 |
| Carlos Gonzalez | 5/30/2012 | Hou | 3 |
| Carlos Gonzalez | 6/5/2013 | Cin | 3 |
| Todd Helton | 5/1/2000 | Mon | 3 |
| Todd Helton | 5/29/2003 | LA | 3 |
| Todd Hollandsworth | 4/15/2001 | Ari | 3 |
| Mike Lansing | 9/22/1998 | Ari | 3 |
| Jose Ortiz | 8/17/2001 | Fla | 3 |
| Trevor Story | Wednesday | SF | 3 |
| Larry Walker | 4/5/1997 | Mon | 3 |
| Larry Walker | 4/28/1999 | StL | 3 |
| Larry Walker | 6/25/2004 | Cle | 3 |
Well, in the Rockies 5-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night, which pushed the Rockies to a 1 1/2 game lead in the NL West on the second-place Dodgers and Diamondbacks, he delivered the 17th game in Rockies history in which a player hit three home runs, the 10th at Coors Field.
And he did it in style, without any personal fanfare.
There was that two-out blast off Giants starting pitcher Andrew Suarez in the first inning, Story falling on his behind as he swung, which gave the Rockies a 2-1 lead.
"It was a little different," he said. "I never fell down like that. I had two strikes on me. I was not trying to hit a home run. I was trying to hit something hard."
There was that blast in the bottom of the fourth, again off Suarez, that tied the game at 3-3 and was officially measured as the longest home run in Coors Field history, and the longest in any ballpark in the Statcast Era with a distance of 505 feet, one foot longer than the old record that Giancarlo Stanton, with the Marlins at the time, hit on Aug. 6, 2016, also at Coors Field.
"I first found out about that when you just told me," he said in the post-game media session. "That's pretty cool. There have been a lot of big home runs here and big power guys. I'll take it I guess."
And there was that sixth-inning shot, again off Suarez, that gave the Rockies the 4-3 lead they did not relinquish in claiming their sixth consecutive win against the Giants.
"To have a night like (Wednesday) is a great feeling," he said. ". ... I try not to outthink myself. I try to keep it simple."
The fans, however, didn't keep it simple. They gave him a standing ovation, eventually getting Story to acknowledge their support with a curtain call.
"It is one thing you dream about as a kid," he said. "I have been blessed to play the game. I thank God that it happened to me, but honestly, I'm more excited about the win at this point. Every win from here on out is huge."
But so was that home run, which was longer than any home run any other hitter has had in the Statcast Era (and one of only three of the top 10 hit at Coors Field).
Simple but impresive. Just look at the list of players behind him in terms of longest home runs of the Statcast Era.
Going, Going, Going, Going, Way Gone
| Length | Player | Date | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. 505 | Trevor Story | Thursday | Coors Field |
| 2. 504 | Giancarlo Stanton | Aug. 6, 2016 | Coors Field |
| 3. (tie) 495 | Aaron Judge | June 11, 2017 | Yankee Stadium |
| 3. (tie) 495 | Kris Bryant | Sept. 6, 2015 | Wrigley Field |
| 5. (tie) 493 | Gary Sanchez | Aug. 22, 2017 | Comerica Park |
| 5. (tie) 493 | Nelson Cruz | Sept. 24, 2016 | Target Field |
| 5. (tie) 493 | Michael A. Taylor | Aug. 20, 2015 | Coors Field |
| 8. 491 | Nomar Mazara | May 25, 2016 | Globe Life Park |
| 9. 490 | Joey Gallo | Sept. 17, 2017 | Angel Stadium |
| 10. 489 | Franchy Cordero | April 20, 2018 | Chase Field |
His teammates, however, were just as impressed as the fans.
"When (the second home run) came off the bat, I thought, `My God, he's going to hit the scoreboard, he's going to hit my Lamborghini,'" said Carlos Gonzalez. "I can't be more proud of him. He is one of those kids who wants to get better every year. And he's definitely getting better.
| Player | Season | HR | SB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Rodriguez | 1998 Sea | 42 | 44 |
| Alex Rodriguez | 2004 NYY | 36 | 28 |
| Barry Larkin | 1996 Cin | 33 | 36 |
| Trevor Story | 2018 Col | 31 | 25 |
| Jimmy Rollins | 2007 Phi | 30 | 41 |
"He's in the MVP conversation now. He's hit 30 home runs. He's close to 30-30 (home runs-stolen bases). He's close to .300. He is carrying the team. He played tremendous defense. He can do it all."
He has 25 stolen bases, giving him only the sixth season in MLB history that a shortstop had at least 30 home runs and 25 stolen bases.
It is, said manager Bud Black, a continuing illustration of the emergence of Story, who is in only his third big-league season, and is enjoying a season in which he earned his first All-Star selection.
"He might do this again," Black said. "He's capable of doing that. He's that kind of player."
And that is why as understated as Story may be he won't be underrated for long.
His abilities -- in the field, on the bases and at the plate -- will force the baseball world and baseball fans to recognize his accomplishments.