Todd Helton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Todd Helton
Helton with the Colorado Rockies in 2013
First baseman
Born: (1973-08-20) August 20, 1973 (age 51) Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Batted: Left Threw: Left
debut
August 2, 1997, for the Colorado Rockies
Last appearance
September 29, 2013, for the Colorado Rockies
MLB statistics
Batting average	.316
Hits	2,519
Home runs	369
Runs batted in	1,406
Teams
Colorado Rockies (1997–2013)
Career highlights and awards
5× All-Star (2000–2004) 3× Gold Glove Award (2001, 2002, 2004) 4× Silver Slugger Award (2000–2003) NL Hank Aaron Award (2000) MLB batting champion (2000) MLB RBI leader (2000) Dick Howser Trophy (1995) Colorado Rockies No. 17 retired
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	2024
Vote	79.7% (sixth ballot)

Todd Lynn Helton, born on August 20, 1973, is a former American professional baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year career for the Colorado Rockies in Major League Baseball (MLB). Helton was a five-time All-Star, won the Silver Slugger Award four times, and the Rawlings Gold Glove Award three times. He holds many Rockies team records, including most hits (2,519), home runs (369), and runs batted in (RBIs, with 1,406).

From 1999 to 2004, Helton had amazing seasons, often hitting over .320 with many home runs and RBIs. In 2000, he was the best hitter in MLB with a .372 batting average. He also led the league in slugging percentage (.698), doubles (59), and RBIs (147). Helton reached 2,000 career hits in 2009 and 2,500 hits in 2013. In 2024, Helton was chosen for the Baseball Hall of Fame, a huge honor for any player.

High School Sports Star

Todd Helton went to Central High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was a talented athlete in both football and baseball. In football, he played quarterback and gained 2,772 total yards. As a senior in baseball, Helton had an incredible .655 batting average and hit 12 home runs. He was named the Regional Player of the Year. Baseball America also recognized him as an All-American. The San Diego Padres drafted him in 1992, but Helton decided to go to college instead.

College Career at Tennessee

Helton received a scholarship to play both football and baseball at the University of Tennessee. He was named Gatorade Player of the Year for both sports in Tennessee. In football, he was a backup quarterback. In 1994, he became the starter after an injury to another player. However, Helton also got injured, and a young player named Peyton Manning took over and became a star. Helton played in 12 football games, throwing for 484 yards and four touchdowns.

In baseball, Helton was outstanding. In 1995, he won the Dick Howser Trophy as the best college baseball player in the country. During his time at Tennessee (1993–1995), he had a .370 batting average, 38 home runs, and 238 RBIs, all school records. He also pitched, with a low 2.24 ERA and 23 saves. In 1995, he set a Tennessee record with 11 saves. Helton holds an NCAA Division I record for pitching 47 consecutive scoreless innings.

In the summer of 1994, Helton played for the Orleans Cardinals in the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL), where he was named an all-star. He was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2024.

Major League Baseball Journey

Starting in the Big Leagues

The Colorado Rockies picked Helton as the eighth overall player in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with them on August 1, 1995. He spent two years playing in the minor leagues before joining the major league team. Helton made his MLB debut on August 2, 1997, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He hit a single and a solo home run in that game.

Early Success (1997–1999)

In his first season (1997), Helton played 35 games and hit .280 with five home runs. In 1998, he became the full-time first baseman for the Rockies. He hit .315 with 25 home runs and 97 RBIs. He led all major league rookies in many hitting categories. Helton finished second in the voting for the MLB Rookie of the Year Award. The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame named him their 1998 Professional Athlete of the Year.

In 1999, Helton continued to play well, hitting .320 with 35 home runs and 113 RBIs. On June 19, 1999, he achieved a rare feat by hitting for the cycle against the Florida Marlins. This means he hit a single, double, triple, and home run all in the same game.

Becoming a Star (2000–2006)

Helton fielding with the Rockies, c. 2005

The year 2000 was one of Helton's best seasons. He led all of MLB in batting average (.372), RBIs (147), and doubles (59). He also led the National League in hits (216) and on-base percentage (.463). Helton became only the fifth player in MLB history to have at least 200 hits, 40 home runs, 100 RBIs, 100 runs, 100 extra base hits, and 100 walks in one season.

Helton was selected for his first Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 2000. He was also named MLB Player of the Year by several organizations. The Rockies gave Helton a big contract in 2001 because of his success.

In 2001, Helton hit a career-high 49 home runs, tying a Rockies team record. He also had a .336 batting average. He became the first player in MLB history to have at least 100 extra base hits in two seasons in a row. Helton played in his second All-Star game and won his first Gold Glove award for his excellent fielding at first base.

In 2002, Helton continued his strong performance, hitting .329 with 30 home runs and 109 RBIs. He became the first Rockies player to score at least 100 runs in four straight seasons. He was named to his third All-Star game and won his second Gold Glove.

Helton swinging at a pitch during a game against the Seattle Mariners in 2006.

In 2003, Helton was in a very close race for the NL batting title, finishing second with a .358 batting average. He also had 33 home runs and 117 RBIs. He appeared in his fourth straight All-Star game.

During the 2004 season, Helton again finished second in the NL batting race, hitting .347. He became the first player in MLB history to hit at least .315 with 25 home runs and 95 RBIs in each of his first seven full seasons. He set a team record by hitting at least 30 home runs in six consecutive seasons. Helton was named to his fifth straight All-Star game and won his third Gold Glove.

In 2005, Helton had a .320 batting average with 20 home runs. He joined baseball legends Lou Gehrig and Bill Terry as the only first basemen in MLB history to have at least a .315 batting average in eight consecutive seasons.

Later Career (2007–2013)

Helton continued to be a consistent hitter. In 2007, he recorded his 1,000th career hit at Coors Field, the Rockies' home stadium. He became the only player in MLB history to hit 35 or more doubles in at least 10 consecutive seasons. On September 16, he hit his 300th career home run, becoming the first player to hit 300 home runs for the Rockies.

Helton made a very important play in 2007 when he hit a two-run walk-off home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This home run helped the Rockies stay in the race for the playoffs. The Rockies went on to win the National League wild card, allowing Helton to play in the playoffs for the first time. Colorado swept both the National League Division Series and the National League Championship Series, sending the Rockies to their first World Series. They lost the World Series to the Boston Red Sox.

Helton at bat during a game against the San Diego Padres in 2009.

On May 19, 2009, Helton got his 2,000th career hit. On July 22, 2009, he hit his 500th career double, becoming the 50th player in MLB history to do so. He also joined baseball greats like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig as one of the few players with at least 500 doubles, 320 home runs, and a .325 batting average. In 2010, Helton had some health issues but returned to play.

On September 14, 2013, Helton announced he would retire after the 2013 season. Before his last game at Coors Field on September 25, 2013, the Rockies honored him in a special ceremony. In that game, Helton hit a home run and drove in three runs.

On August 17, 2014, the Rockies retired Helton's number 17 jersey. He was the first Rockies player to have his number retired, showing how important he was to the team.

Career Highlights

Todd Helton's number 17 was retired by the Colorado Rockies in 2014.

• Baseball Digest All-Star Rookie Team (1998)
• Associated Press Major League Baseball All-Star Team (2000)
• Baseball Digest Major League Baseball Player of the Year (2000)
• USA Baseball Alumni Player of the Year (2000)

Achievements

• National League Batting Champion (2000)
• National League slugging percentage leader (2000)
• National League RBI leader (2000)
• National League Doubles leader (2000, Helton hit 59 doubles during the season, which tied Chuck Klein for the third-highest single-season doubles total in NL history.)
• Hit for the cycle (June 19, 1999)
• Percentage triple crown (2000)
• National League Hits leader (2000)
• National League On-Base Percentage leader (2000, 2005, 2007)
• National League Total Bases leader (2000)
• National League Extra Base Hits leader (2000)
• Colorado Rockies career leader in games played (2,247), at bats (7,962), runs (1,401), hits (2,519), total bases (4,292), doubles (592), home runs (369), RBI (1,406), walks (1,335), and intentional walks (185).
• Colorado Rockies number 17 was retired August 17, 2014.

Helton first appeared on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot in 2019. On January 23, 2024, Helton was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. He is the second member of the Rockies, after Larry Walker, to be elected. He was officially inducted on July 21, 2024.

After Playing Baseball

On April 9, 2022, the Colorado Rockies hired Helton to be a special assistant to the general manager. He works with other former players like Vinny Castilla and Clint Hurdle in this role.

Personal Life

Helton's jersey number, 17, was a tribute to former Chicago Cubs first baseman Mark Grace.

Todd Helton lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, with his wife Christy and their two daughters. They are good friends with Helton's former Tennessee Volunteers football teammate, former National Football League (NFL) quarterback Peyton Manning.

See also