Todd Helton is a retired Major League Baseball first baseman who played his entire career with the Colorado Rockies. He was known for his exceptional hitting, fielding, and leadership abilities. Helton was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he attended Central High School and played baseball, football, and basketball. He was an outstanding athlete and was even recruited to play quarterback for the University of Tennessee football team.
Despite his love for football, Helton chose to pursue baseball and was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the first round of the 1995 Major League Baseball draft. He quickly rose through the minor leagues and made his Major League debut in 1997. Helton's talent was immediately apparent, and he quickly became a fan favorite in Colorado.
In 2000, Helton had a breakout season, hitting .372 with 42 home runs and 147 runs batted in. He won the National League batting title and finished fifth in the Most Valuable Player voting. Helton's success continued throughout the early 2000s, as he was named to five All-Star teams and won four Silver Slugger Awards.
Off the field, Helton was known for his generosity and charitable work. He and his wife founded the Todd Helton Charity Celebrity Golf Classic, which raised money for several different causes, including children's hospitals and cancer research.
In 2013, Helton announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season. He played his final game on September 29, 2013, and was honored by the Rockies organization in a pregame ceremony. Helton finished his career with a .316 batting average, 2,519 hits, 369 home runs, and 1,406 runs batted in.
Todd Helton will always be remembered as one of the greatest players in Colorado Rockies history. He was a leader on and off the field, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of baseball players.
