COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Smashing a run-scoring double into the gap to score a run? No sweat. Picking a low throw out of the dirt at first base? Second nature.

But standing on stage in front of a crowd of thousands, with 54 baseball legends sitting behind you and millions watching on TV? And talking about yourself and your career?

Not easy if you’re Todd Helton.

But the face of the Rockies didn’t flinch Sunday afternoon. With a big assist from his wife, Christy, who helped him write his acceptance speech, Helton delivered a home run at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

National Baseball Hall of Famer Todd Helton during the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, New York Sunday, July 21, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
National Baseball Hall of Famer Todd Helton during the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, New York Sunday, July 21, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)

The 50-year-old Helton, dressed in a gray suit with a purple tie, was funny. He joked about his infamous superstitions and referred to the ranch he still owns in northeast Colorado as a “Redneck Disneyland.”

He was also emotional, especially about his daughters, Tierney Faith and Gentry Grace, saying, “The pure tenderness of your heart, in each of you, blows me away at every turn. You both mean the world to me.”

From left to right, Todd Helton's daughters, Gentry Helton, Tierney Helton, and Todd Helton's wife, Christy Helton applaud their father and husband during National Baseball Hall of Famer Todd Helton's speech during National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, New York Sunday, July 21, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
From left to right, Todd Helton’s daughters, Gentry Helton, Tierney Helton, and Todd Helton’s wife, Christy Helton applaud their father and husband during National Baseball Hall of Famer Todd Helton’s speech during National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, New York Sunday, July 21, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)

Helton, who played all 17 of his major league seasons with the Rockies, was inducted along with Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre, and manager Jim Leyland, who led the Florida Marlins to a World Series title in 1997 and also managed the Rockies in 1999.

Helton was the first to speak, for which he said he was thankful. He led off his 14-minute speech by saying, “Those of you who know me, know I would be more comfortable doing anything other than standing up here talking about myself. I’m just a ballplayer.”

No, not just a ballplayer. He’s now a baseball immortal, one of only 273 players to be enshrined in Cooperstown.



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