Who is Todd Helton? All we know about first Tennessee star to make the Baseball Hall of Fame
Todd Helton has been in the news after the Tennessee Volunteers won their maiden College World Series this year. Helton began his college career with the Vols in 1993 and spent three seasons with the program before entering the MLB Draft.
In January this year, Helton became the first player from Tennessee to get enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Helton was born on Aug. 20, 1973, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He attended Central High School, where he took a liking to baseball and football. His growth in baseball was incredible as a baseman and he was named the K.I.L. Baseball Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992.
In 1993, Helton committed to the University of Tennessee, after being offered an athletic scholarship to play both football and baseball.
As a freshman in baseball, Helton earned consensus Freshman All-American, a First-Team All-SEC performer and Third-Team All-American honors. In his sophomore year, he earned All-America honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball.
In his junior year, the baseman earned several honors, including the National Collegiate Player of the Year.
Across three seasons in Tennessee, Helton racked up 38 homers, 238 RBIs and 199 runs with a .370 batting average. The Vos retired his No. 3 jersey on Jan. 30, 2008.
A glimpse into Todd Helton's MLB career
The Colorado Rockies drafted Todd Helton with the No.8 pick in the 1995 MLB Draft. He went on to play 17 years with the organization and holds many franchise records, including games played (2,247), runs (1,401), hits (2,519), doubles (592), home runs (369) and RBI (1,406).
During his stellar MLB career, Helton earned five All-Star honors. He also won four Silver Slugger awards and three Gold Glove awards.
Helton announced his retirement from the MLB in 2013. On Aug. 7, 2014, the Rockies retired his No. 17 jersey.