Todd Helton, Joe Mauer, Adrián Beltré and Jim Leyland are now immortalized in bronze forever. The quartet were enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, on Sunday. Helton, who spent his entire 17-year career with the Colorado Rockies, opened the proceedings.
He had a .316/.414/.
539 slash line, and his 61.8 WAR are the most in Rockies history. In at least one part of the country, his exploits in Denver aren't the most notable aspect of his athletic résumé.
What a great speech by Todd Helton on his HOF induction day. Told us how he still gets asked in Knoxville if he's the guy who used to QB the Vols. His reply: "Yes.
But I've played a little baseball since." pic.twitter.
com/cgigDdegmv Rather than focusing on his own achievements, Helton called attention to the many people along the way who helped him forge a Hall of Fame career on the baseball diamond. Fans thought the speech reflected the 50-year-old's personality: Todd Helton thanked a lot of people but let us be one of many saying thanks to you for 17 years of greatness Todd! Todd Helton's HOF speech has been excellent Todd Helton nailed his Hall of Fame speech. Showed his passion, dry wit and love for his family and #Rockies.
So thrilled for him. Todd Helton talks of #MNTwins Jim Kaat being the first baseball player he ever knew, and Rod Carew someone he emulated through a VHS tape. Beltré took to the podium next, and it didn't take long for David Ortiz to answer the one question on every.