Article Published: Wednesday, February 11, 2004

Helton out to complete picture in playoffs

By Troy E. Renck
Denver Post Sports Writer

Todd Helton has been praised as a future Hall of Famer, a throwback, someone who would rather drink a glass shard milkshake than give away an at-bat.

He has played in four All-Star Games, won two Gold Gloves and a National League batting title. But as he sat down for breakfast Tuesday morning, the 30-year-old talked about what has evaded him. Entering his seventh full season, Helton is Mr. Rockie.

And every year, he misses October.

"It's like a dog who has never had table scraps. I really don't know what it tastes like. I would love to get a taste of the playoffs," Helton said. "I hope I will get to, and I hope it's this year. I am not on the three-year or four-year plan to get to there. I am on a one- year plan."

In a wide-ranging interview that included discussion about his leadership style, added weight and the importance of the Rockies' bullpen, he frequently returned to the subject of winning.

But unlike in November, when Helton said he would listen if the team wanted to trade him, his frustration no longer is visible.

"I stay in pretty good control of my emotions most of the time. I am in a great organization with people I know want to win," Helton said. "It's harder than it sounds. The Yankees spent $180 million and didn't do it. But I would just like to scoreboard-watch at least one day."

Helton has experienced one winning season - 82-80 in 2000 - and hasn't played a meaningful game in September since he took over Andres Galarraga's job for good in 1998.

"He's our rock," general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "He knows our focus is trying to create an environment where we have a chance to win each and every year. We have worked hard to bring in the type of veteran guys that he and other players can rally around."

The Rockies' 14-30 stumble in the season's final six weeks last year prompted an extreme makeover, with an emphasis on experience and character. In many ways, the club is modeled in Helton's image.

"We are going to have an average age of over 30, so we should know how to go about our business," Helton said. "It's about playing hard and not taking any days off (mentally)."

Aside from Helton's swollen statistics - his .337 career average is highest among active players - the Rockies gave him a nine-year, $141.5 million contract extension three years ago because they wanted Helton to be the team leader. The ascension to that pedestal may never happen.

If something needs to be said, Helton is inclined to voice his opinion. But he prefers doling out advice face to face, not acting as the voice of the team. He credits center fielder Preston Wilson, the Rockies' de facto captain, for allowing him to assume a role more suited to his personality.

"He's funny, a good talker. He is really all the things I am not," Helton said. "I could be all the things I am, which is more quiet, focused on winning. I'd rather talk to someone one-on-one. I am comfortable with where I am at and how I act."

Helton began the 2003 season unsure how a bone spur in his back would respond. He rebounded, hitting .358 with 33 homers and 117 RBIs. He wasn't satisfied, how- ever, citing his career-high 11 errors and decline in offense from three years ago.

"Defensively, I was bad. I have to focus more on it," said Helton, who surrendered his Gold Glove to Derrek Lee. "And the way I look at it offensively, I have been on a downhill slide since (2001). Sure, I tried my best and I hit for a good average. But I set my bar a lot higher than where I finished."

He was referring to his 2000 and 2001 seasons, when he averaged 46 home runs and 147 RBIs.

With those kinds of numbers in mind, Helton got bigger this winter. By working out regularly and eating more, he has reached 220 pounds, 5 pounds heavier than he ever has been. Helton, who looks slightly bigger in his shoulders and chest, said he changed his offseason routine after feeling weak last season while playing between 199 and 205 pounds.

"I hope it makes me stronger, the ol' mass times velocity equation," said Helton, who no longer worries about his back injury. "I am going to have a little more mass behind it. I just didn't feel like I have the power I had in the past. I could tell when I hit a ball that used to go out, and the same ball hasn't been going out the last couple of years. If it doesn't work I will change, because I am not going to sacrifice anything good."

The Rockies were a feel-good story last season, sitting at 60-58 on Aug. 12 before disintegrating into a 74-win season. Asked what went wrong, Helton cited the five close losses at Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, a problem he feels was addressed with the conversion of Shawn Chacon into a closer this winter.

"I think it was really gutsy decision and a great move. I think he could be the best closer the Rockies have ever had," Helton said while acknowledging an unproven rotation must pitch well enough to make Chacon a factor.

"Shawn has to go out and do it," he said, "but that's what this team has really been lacking to me for a couple of years now. It can make a huge difference to a team when they know when a guy comes in the game is over."

Being part of a playoff team is a void that gnaws at him.

"The game motivates me," Helton said. "I haven't been to a playoff game. What better motivation is there than that?"