Helton becomes first former Tennessee Vol enshrined in Cooperstown

Courtesy / WVLT Volunteer TV Sports By John Sartori

COOPERSTOWN, NY (WVLT) – There may not have been a tougher moment in Todd Helton’s baseball life than what he had to do on Sunday in front of thousands in Cooperstown, New York.

It’s something the Vol For Life has shied away from at every opportunity, talking about himself. On Sunday, Helton had no choice, becoming a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

“Those of you who know me know I’d be more comfortable doing anything other than standing up here, talking about myself,” Helton said.

The Rockies legend spent the majority of his speech thanking those who helped raise him to Cooperstown.

“You don’t get to play Major League Baseball or dream of getting to the Hall of Fame without people who support you,” Helton said. “My wife, Christy, we did this together.”

From there, Helton thanked his Mother Martha and his late Father Jerry.

“Mom, thank you for all the time you put in to helping me get here,” said Helton. “I now see how much you sacrificed to help me live out my dream. You watched more baseball than most big league scouts…Thank you so much.”

“My Dad passed in 2015. This would have meant as much, if not more to him than it does me,” Helton said. “My Dad made me believe I could stand up here today.”

Helton is the first Tennessee Volunteer to make the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is just the second Colorado Rockies player in the Hall.