Todd Helton threw out the ceremonial first pitch to his former Colorado teammate, Charlie Blackmon, during pre-game ceremonies on Saturday night. The event honored Helton’s recent induction into the Hall of Fame.
The crowd gave Helton enthusiastic applause throughout the approximately half-hour ceremony, which featured speeches from former teammate and Rockies broadcaster Ryan Spillborghs and former Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who played alongside Helton at the University of Tennessee.
Fans at the game received a Helton bobblehead depicting him with his arms raised, capturing a memorable moment from his 17-year career with the Rockies when he celebrated the team’s 2007 NL pennant.
“I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt I stayed in the right place, on the right team, and in the right city for my whole career — 17 years,” Helton said in a video released by Major League Baseball before the ceremony.
“Seventeen is a special number for me and I dedicate it to you Rockies fans. When I think about 17, I will be thinking of you, this field and every second I spent in a Rockies uniform.”
Helton was joined by his wife, Christy, and their two daughters on the field. Rockies owner Dick Monfort was also present. During the ceremony, Helton’s Hall of Fame plaque was displayed and will be returned to Cooperstown, New York, where it will be shown permanently.
