Beyond the Numbers: The Career of Todd Helton

We all kinda knew it was coming…it was all just a matter of when.  Saturday, Colorado Rockies star Todd Helton announced that he would be retiring at the conclusion of the season, just two weeks after collecting his 2500th career hit.

"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," Helton told the Denver Post. "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."

Now, as you might suspect, Helton is poised to retire as, arguably, the Rockies all-time greatest hitter.  But, here are ten numbers you might not have known about the first baseman’s Hall of Fame worthy career.

1950

Todd Helton's .370 career batting average against the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals is the second best any player has had against an opponent with at least 400 plate appearances since 1950.

585

Todd Helton has 585 career doubles…more than any other active player, and 17th most ever.

103

In 2000, Todd Helton hit .372 with 103 extra-base hits. It is the only season since Stan Musial in 1948 in which a player had a .350 average and 100-plus extra-base hits.

7

Todd Helton is one of only seven players to have multiple seasons with at least 400 total bases.

5

Todd Helton has five seasons with at least 100 runs, 100 RBI, 30 home runs and a .320 average. That is tied for the sixth most ever.

5

Todd Helton is one of only five players in Major League history to have multiple seasons with at least 200 hits and 100 walks.

5

Here’s a fun one. Todd Helton has hit five career home runs on his birthday.

3

Since 1950 there have been 54 seasons where a player has had a .500 OBP in their teams wins (minimum 300 plate appearances). Todd Helton has three of those seasons.

.856

Not purely a Coors Field creation, Todd Helton has an .856 career road OPS.  By comparison, Ken Griffey Jr. had an .860 career road OPS.

.425

Since 1945, Todd Helton's .425 OBP against right handed pitchers is tied for the seventh best mark.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Neal Kendrick enjoys baseball and numbers…often mixing the two to form a wonderful Twitter account.  You can follow Neal at @funbaseballfact.