Todd Helton
| Birthdate | 8/20/1973 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1997 |
| Year of Induction | 2024 |
| Teams | Rockies |
| Position | First Base |
Todd Helton is the only player in history with consecutive seasons of 100+ extra base hits. His career totals: .316 average, .414 OBP, & 2,519 hits.
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Many believe Todd Helton is worthy of a plaque in Cooperstown.
Many believe Todd Helton is worthy of a plaque in Cooperstown.
Todd Helton had quite a rookie year in 1998, finishing with a .315 batting average, 25 homers, 97 RBI and a .911 OPS. It was good enough for a second-place finish in Rookie of the Year balloting.
In the collection is this contract for signed by Helton for the Rockies first baseman to appear on Topps baseball cards. Dated 21 days before the start of his Rookie season, the contract calls for a three-year extension of Helton’s association with the company. Below Helton’s signature is that of Topps legend Sy Berger.
Has Helton done enough to get into the Hall of Fame?
His Cooperstown resume includes a monster season of 2000 when he led the Majors in batting average (.372), slugging percentage (.698), OPS (1.162), doubles (59), RBIs (147) and total bases (405), while also pacing the NL in hits (216) and on-base percentage (.463). Helton has four Silver Slugger Awards, three Gold Gloves, and a career .953 OPS that ranks 18th all time.
Helton’s career marks – .316 average, .414 on-base percentage, and .539 slugging percentage – make him special. The list of players in the history of baseball to reach those numbers with at least 1,000 career games is short: Helton, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Rogers Hornsby, Jimmie Foxx, and Lou Gehrig.
The former batting champ posted back-to-back seasons of 400+ total bases. The only other batters to accomplish that are Hall of Famers Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, and Chuck Klein.
Helton ranks first in Colorado franchise history in runs, hits, doubles, homers, RBI, and walks.
Many believe he is worthy of a plaque in Cooperstown.
Helton's historic 2000 season earned him the Hank Aaron Award
Helton's historic 2000 season earned him the Hank Aaron Award
In 1999 Major League Baseball created the Hank Aaron Award to recognize the the top overall offensive performer in each league. According to MLB.com, a panel of Hall of Famers combines with a fan vote to determine the recipient.
Todd Helton was the obvious choice for the honor in 2000. He led the league in WAR, hits, doubles, RBI, total bases. His .372/.463/.698 also led the league in each category.
Shown here is a telegram from the day after Aaron passed the Babe Ruth to become baseball’s career home run leader. Dated April 9, 1974, it reads, “Congratulations on number 715”. Aaron has signed the bottom right of the telegram. Click here to see a list of Hank Aaron Award winners.
