Todd Helton assumed his place among the greatest players of all time on Sunday.
The former Tennessee Vols baseball standout was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Welcome to baseball immortality, Todd Helton. pic.twitter.com/l660mw8Sw0
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) July 21, 2024
He joined former Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer and former Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre as players to be inducted. Former manager Jim Leyland rounded out the 2024 class.
Helton appeared on stage for his speech representing the Vols with a Tennessee Power T pin on his suit coat. He admitted that speaking about himself was not something he’s been particularly adept at doing.
“Those of you who know me know that I’d be more comfortable doing anything other than standing up here talking about myself,” Helton quipped. “I’m just a ballplayer, and anyone in the media can attest to that fact. So, to that, thank you to the media for making the most of what little I gave you.”
He congratulated his fellow inductees and gave thanks to his family. From there, he gave kudos to former Tennessee Vols football offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe.
“Coach David Cutcliffe was my quarterback coach at the University of Tennessee. Coach Cut always added some baseball words of wisdom for me on our weekly quarterback tests,” Helton noted. “One simple one liner that stuck with me through the years was: don’t be a dirt kicker. Thank you, Cut. Even though I wanted to at times, I made sure I kept my frustrations off the field and out of sight.”
Helton also joked about being the QB sandwiched between Heath Shuler and Peyton Manning and how it made his pursuit of baseball earlier.
As any Tennessee fan over the age of 35 knows, Helton played quarterback for Tennessee’s football team from 1992 to 1994. After Jerry Colquitt suffered an injury against UCLA in the 1994 opener, Helton took over as the starter. However, an injury against Mississippi State that same year sidelined Helton and sent the starting job to Manning.
Helton then gave a shoutout to Tony Vitello and the Vols.
“I’d also like to recognize the best head college coach today: Coach Tony Vitello and the national champion Tennessee Volunteers.”
Helton established records that still stand at Tennessee during his time in Knoxville. He still holds program records for career RBIs (238), walks (147), and saves as well as single season records for RBI (92 in 1995), ERA (0.89 in 1994), and saves (12 in 1995). He helped the Vols win both the SEC regular season and tournament titles and making the program’s first College World Series appearance in 44 years back in 1995.
He’s the first former Tennessee Vols player to ever be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Congratulations, Todd!