Trevor Story's helmet, batting gloves in HOF after historic week

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Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Cooperstown already has Trevor Story's helmet and batting gloves after his historic seven-homer first week, but the Baseball Hall of Fame isn't getting his bat.

"They asked for the bat," the Colorado Rockies shortstop said Sunday, "but I couldn't give up the bat."

Nobody in major league history ever had a first week like Story's: a record seven home runs in his first six games, including homers in his first four starts.

"It has been fun so far," the rookie said Sunday after hitting a solo shot in Colorado's 6-3 winover theSan Diego Padres, giving him 12 RBIs and putting him on a pace for a ridiculous 189 home runs and 324 RBIs this season.

On Monday, Story was named the National League Player of the Week. Fellow rookie Tyler White, of the Houston Astros, earned the honor in the American League. The pair are the first players to win the awards in their first week since Fernando Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Dodgers (April 6-12, 1981) and Salome Barojas of the Chicago White Sox (April 12-18, 1982).

Story, who averaged 14 home runs in his five minor league seasons, has no explanation for his sizzling start other than he's locked in at the plate, where, he said, "I just clear my mind, compete with my eyes and react with my hands."

Rockies manager Walt Weiss told Story when he reported to spring training that he had a chance to win the starting shortstop job with veteran Jose Reyes on paid leave while facing legal issues.

He wondered how the 23-year-old would handle his opportunity.

"You see young players go either way. Sometimes it's too much for them at an early age," Weiss said. "Trevor went the other way. He elevated his game. I never saw the game get too fast for him in spring training. It's nice when pressure brings out the best in people."

Story already has as many homers as Reyes hit in 116 games last season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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