Congrats to my personal favorite Rockie, Todd Helton! Yesterday, he hit a major milestone, getting 2000 hits. What makes it even more impressive is that he got all his hits with his original team (my other favorite player did it too...Derek Jeter).
I still remember being thrilled when the Rockies brought Todd up. He had the sweetest swing. Every time he came to bat, there was an excitement...he was a game changer. Todd didn't come up to get a home run each time (like the original BlakeStreetBombers did), he just wanted a hit. He craves hits! I'll never forget being at a game in Aug. 2007 (the Rocktober run) we (the Rox) were losing to the Dodgers by one run, down to our last out, a man on second, and Todd comes up. The optimism was tangible, "Helton is up...we have a chance!" At this point in the season, the Rox were very much out of the playoff picture. Then with one swing...CRACK...we win the next 20 games and go to the World Series!
As great of a hitter that the Todd-father is, he is a better fielder! Watching him play firstbase is like butter! He is poetry in motion. One of (if not the) best firstbase men that I have seen since Mr. Baseball (Don Mattingly...who was also a fantastic hitter...hhhmmmm....).
Todd, Mr. Baseball Jr., my hat is off to you (and with the sun and my bald head, that is a lot!) here's to 2000 more!
Until next time...
the Lockedawg
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