Why Todd Helton belongs in the Hall of Fame


Todd Helton has been trending in the right direction over the first four years of his eligibility on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s Hall of Fame ballot. Last year, he garnered 52 percent of the vote, with 75 percent needed for election and enshrinement in Cooperstown.

As he seeks to perhaps break the 60-percent barrier or beyond this year, getting him ever closer to election, here’s a look at six reasons why Helton should have a plaque hanging in the hallowed gallery of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

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Let’s deal with Coors right off the bat: Helton’s road numbers are Hall-worthy

Helton played his entire 17-year MLB career with the Rockies, which means he played all of his home games at the hitter’s paradise that is Coors Field. So, naturally, the Hall of Fame voter has to take into account whether the inevitably inflated numbers from half a career hitting in the altitude of Denver are enough to disqualify Helton from a place in Cooperstown.

Stripping out his Coors Field numbers entirely, Helton was a great hitter. In 4,612 road plate appearances, the slugging first baseman hit .287/.386/.469 with 142 home runs. His .855 OPS away from his home ballpark is higher than the road OPS of Hall of Famers Dave Winfield (.841), Eddie Murray (.838), Rickey Henderson (.836), Tony Gwynn (.835), Al Kaline (.827) and George Brett (.826), among others.

And when it comes to on-base percentage, Helton’s .386 OBP on the road is higher than Hall of Famers Rod Carew (.385), Gwynn (.384), Honus Wagner (.383), Willie Mays (.382), Eddie Mathews (.382), Joe Morgan (.380), Tim Raines (.378), Vladimir Guerrero (.376), Fred McGriff (.376), Frank Robinson (.376), Harmon Killebrew (.373), Willie McCovey (.372), Derek Jeter (.370), Helton’s former teammate Larry Walker (.370), Hank Aaron (.369), Kaline (.369), Duke Snider (.369) and the list goes on.

Helton’s road stats are Hall-worthy, and that’s not even counting his incredible numbers at Coors Field.

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He was pretty good at Coors, too

We’ve addressed the Coors issue by taking Coors out of the picture. Now, let’s bring it back in, because how incredible do your numbers have to be in altitude to prove you’re a great hitter?

Helton’s are phenomenal, which, even with the Coors discount, make his Hall of Fame case a strong one. In 4,841 home plate appearances, he hit .345/.441/.607 with 227 home runs at the corner of 20th and Blake Street in Lower Downtown Denver.

He won many accolades, and should’ve had more

Helton was much more than a superb hitter — he played great defense at first base, as well. That’s evidenced by his three career Gold Glove Awards (2001, ’02 and ’04). He was also selected as an All-Star five times and a Silver Slugger Award winner four times.

In 2000, he had the finest all-around season of any player in the National League by several measures, but he was not voted the league’s Most Valuable Player — that honor went to Giants second baseman Jeff Kent.

But should it have…



Read More: Why Todd Helton belongs in the Hall of Fame 2022-12-27 05:05:52

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