Is Todd Helton Going to Make the Hall of Fame in 2019?

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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 24: Todd Helton #17 of the Colorado Rockies runs to first as he singles against the Boston Red Sox in the sixth inning at Coors Field on September 24, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

The Colorado Rockies were in the midst of a 21-1 stretch that miraculously pushed them into the postseason, and later, the World Series. In the bottom of the 9th, with Todd Helton at the plate. 60 feet away, Takashi Saito gripped the baseball. The Dodgers were one out away from escaping with a one run win. The Rockies would need a hero to step up in this situation.

Luckily for us Rockies fans, the Rockies had someone who was ready for any moment. Perhaps the greatest Rockie ever, Todd Helton. He turned on Saito’s inside pitch and sent the ball into the right field stands. One of the most iconic moments in Rockies history, Helton took a trip down the bases, raising his fist in the air as we watched the Rockies essentially gain a spot in the 2007 MLB Playoffs. September 18, 2007 is known to many of the Rockies’ fanbase as “The Greatest Day Ever”.

If you were to ask Colorado Rockies fans if Todd Helton was going to make the hall of fame, almost everyone would say yes. Helton is regarded as the greatest baseball player to ever play in the purple pin stripes.

Statisticians would probably say something like ” .316 Average, 369 Home Runs and almost 1500 RBI’s? Of course.” But, just like everything in baseball, it’s not that simple. While Helton will not be eligible for the Hall of Fame until 2019, the debate is still being brought up. Here’s the facts:

1 Jul 2001: Jim Thome #25 of the Cleveland Indians sitting on the bench watching the action during the game against the Kansas City Royals at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Royals 13-11. Mandatory Credit: Tom Pigeon/Allsport. Getty Images. /

Just looking at the first years on the ballot, you have a ton of “locks” for a spot in the Hall of Fame. Mariano Rivera might just be the best closer in MLB history, so he is as good as in. Some of the other players that may get some votes are Roy Halladay (who’s responsible for multiple no-hitters, including a perfect game), Roy Oswalt, and Miguel Tejada (but he has steroid allegations behind him that will hinder his votes).

But that is just the first year. There is a lot of players that might not make it until 2019. To name a couple, you have Jim Thome, Scott Rolen, and Chipper Jones should either get in (in the case of Thome and Jones) and Rolen will get a decent percentage of the vote. Still, you have a few players who could make the 2019 Hall of Fame class really good.

Why does this matter to “Toddy Ball-Game”? Let’s look away from the facts, and towards the cold, hard truth. Voters probably will not just let an unlimited number of players into the hall of fame in any given year. If Helton is not considered among the top of those players, he could potentially be on the outside looking in.

DENVER – OCTOBER 27: Todd Helton #17 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated by Yorvit Torrealba #8 as he returns to the dugout after scoring on a RBI single by Brad Hawpe against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series at Coors Field on October 27, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Yes, and here’s why. Helton, along with every other Rockies hitter ever, has a bias against them. Hopfeully most of you know exactly what I am talking about. Simply put, Coors Field is known as the best hitters ballpark in the MLB, mainly for the high altitude that allows the ball to go further. This also allows for pitchers’ curveballs to drop less than usual. Therefore, they are easier to hit, right? Playing half of your games there vs only a couple times a year makes a huge difference in the eyes of the voters.

Another argument is his playoff performance. Helton only got the opportunity to play in 15 playoff games, which isn’t really his fault. However, in those 15 games, Helton only hit for a .211 average, and never hit a playoff home run. That’s really hard to combat, until you dig a little deeper. His on base percentage was a whopping .316. Sure, he struggled in the playoffs, but in his 4 World Series games, Helton put up a .333 average and a .412 on base percentage in 17 at bats. Does he get on base when it matters most? I think so.

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Helton put up Hall-of-Fame numbers, but only 369 home runs might not be enough to cut it. To be completely honest, this whole article has been against one of my favorite players. And, despite all that, I do think Helton will be in the Hall of Fame in 2019. You can limit players with a .316 average to a very small number of players. In 2019, Todd Helton should be celebrated as the first Colorado Rockie to see in the Hall-of-Fame. If not in 2019, he make an appearance in Cooperstown as an inductee before his time on the ballot is up.

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Colorado Rockies: Is Todd Helton going to make the Hall of Fame in 2019?

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