Todd Helton Will Always Be Remembered As The Greatest Colorado Rockies Player Of All-Time

Next year, Team 600 will welcome Bubba Lutz as an intern for the Spring. Bubba is so excited about joining the 600 ESPN El Paso family that he's been writing blogs for the past three months and sending them to us. Check out his tribute to Todd Helton and let us know what you think.

On Monday September 16th, Todd Helton announced that he will retire at the end of the 2013 Major League Baseball season. At age 40, the Colorado Rockies first baseman still has an impact on the field for his team like he did when his career first began 16 years ago.

From 2001-2004, Helton was one of the best players in the league, hitting over 30 home runs every year and driving in over 100 RBI’s in that same span. This season, Helton has a batting average of .242 and has hit 13 home runs with 52 RBI’s. It is very impressive to see a veteran still having such an impact on the game, especially a player his age. Throughout his career, he has earned a great amount of awards. Helton is a three-time NL Gold-Glove winner, four-time Silver Slugger winner, and a five-time All Star.

It has not been the most perfect career for Helton, but still a lasting one. Seven months ago, Helton was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) with a blood-alcohol level of .102. He received a one-year probation and a $400 fine according to NBC sports. Helton also made headlines more than 10 years ago, when it was thought that he was using steroids during his 2001 and 2002 seasons.

After the 2013 season, it’s a question of whether or not Helton will make the Baseball Hall of Fame. Since he did play over 10 years in the league, it will be a five year wait until he is eligible for voting. Helton deserves to be in the Hall of Fame because the accomplishments he made throughout his career are very difficult to achieve. He has been a model of consistency on the field. Also, he was one of the best players in the league between 2001 and 2004, and was compared to superstar players like Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols and Vladimir Guerrero.

Unfortunately, the Rockies are in last place in the NL West division which means that the team will not make the playoffs and give Helton one last chance at a championship for his farewell season. Even without a World Series ring, Helton is a great baseball player that will be remembered for a very long time not just by the Rockies, but by the entire league as well.