Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton will retire at the end of the 2013 season, the team announced Saturday.
Todd Helton announces retirement
Helton will retire at the conclusion of the 2013 season after 17 years in the majors, all with the Rockies.
Christian Petersen
Helton is a career .317/.415/.539 hitter with 586 doubles, 37 triples, 367 home runs, 1,397 RBI, 1,394 runs scored, and 1,333 walks over 2,235 games. He made five All-Star teams, spending his entire career with the Rockies. Helton will retire as the organization’s all-time leader in a number of statistics, including hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, runs and walks.
The first baseman discussed the decision with Troy Renck of the Denver Post, telling the reporter:
Helton's Hall of Fame Case
Despite a disappointing second act, was his peak value long and high enough to lift him over the threshold? “Yes, this is it. It just seems like it’s time. It’s a young man’s game. I am 40 years old. I am looking forward to doing something else besides baseball. Whatever that may be. I am not sure yet. I am going to start a new chapter not only in my life but our lives. It will be different. It will be difficult, but it will be exciting.”
The 40-year-old will hold a press conference Monday at 4 p.m. ET to discuss his retirement. His final home game will be Wednesday, Sept. 25th against the Boston Red Sox.
Helton had a strong five-season peak, averaging 6.9 WAR per season from 2000-2004. He has been inconsistent since 2008, but provided the Rockies with solid offense value as recently as 2011. Helton this season is hitting .244/.315/.408 with 16 doubles and 13 home runs in 112 games.
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