Todd Helton announces retirement

Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton will retire at the end of the 2013 season, the team announced Saturday.

Helton is a career .317/.415/.539  hitter with 586 doubles, 37 triples, 367 home runs, 1,397 RBI, 1,394 runs scored, and 1,333 walks over 2,235 games.  He made five All-Star teams, spending his entire career with the Rockies. Helton will retire as the organization's all-time leader in a number of statistics, including hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, runs and walks.

The first baseman discussed the decision with Troy Renck of the Denver Post, telling the reporter:

Helton's Hall of Fame Case

Despite a disappointing second act, was his peak value long and high enough to lift him over the threshold?

"Yes, this is it. It just seems like it's time. It's a young man's game. I am 40 years old. I am looking forward to doing something else besides baseball. Whatever that may be. I am not sure yet. I am going to start a new chapter not only in my life but our lives. It will be different. It will be difficult, but it will be exciting."

The 40-year-old will hold a press conference Monday at 4 p.m. ET to discuss his retirement. His final home game will be Wednesday, Sept. 25th against the Boston Red Sox.

Helton had a strong five-season peak, averaging 6.9 WAR per season from 2000-2004. He has been inconsistent since 2008, but provided the Rockies with solid offense value as recently as 2011. Helton this season is hitting .244/.315/.408 with 16 doubles and 13 home runs in 112 games.

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