Todd Helton, former Tennessee Vols star, falls short of Baseball Hall of Fame election

Former Tennessee Vols star Todd Helton didn’t hear the call from Cooperstown on Tuesday, falling just short of an election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Helton, a Knoxville Central graduate, is halfway through his 10 years of eligibility. But this was the closest he had come.

A candidate must appear on at least 75% of ballots for election. Helton got 72.2% in his best showing in five years of eligibility.

Helton, the former Colorado Rockies first baseman, was on 16.5% of ballots in 2019, 29.2% in 2020, 44.9% in 2021 and 52.0% in 2022.

Third baseman Scott Rolen and first baseman Fred McGriff will be in the 2023 induction class. Rolen was elected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voters and announced on MLB Network. In December, McGriff was elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.

Helton still has strong case to get into Hall

Helton’s last year of eligibility is 2028. He should continue to be one of the leading candidates, especially after getting so close to election.

Helton played all 17 seasons with the Rockies, retiring in 2013. He had a .316 career batting average and holds franchise records in games played (2,247), hits (2,519), runs (1,401), home runs (369) and RBI (1,406).

Helton was hoping to be the second Rockies player to make the Hall of Fame, following former teammate and 2020 inductee Larry Walker. He was a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, three-time Gold Glove winner, the 2000 batting champion and a multi-year MVP candidate.

He also checks key boxes for a Hall of Fame member.

Helton had a career batting average above .300, on-base percentage above .400 and slugging percentage above .500. He also had more than 2,500 hits, 1,400 runs, 1,400 RBI and 300 home runs. Helton is among 10 players to reach all seven marks. Only he and Manny Ramirez aren’t in the Hall of Fame.

Helton is already in the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. And his No. 3 was permanently retired by UT in 2008.

At Central High, Helton was the 1992 Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year in football and baseball. At UT, he was the 1995 National Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year, SEC Athlete of the Year and a quarterback for the Vols.

Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Todd Helton, former Tennessee Vols star, falls short of Baseball Hall of Fame election