University of Tennessee Athletics
Helton Talks Prior to Leadoff Banquet
January 29, 2008 | Baseball
Former Tennessee great Todd Helton stopped by Lindsey Nelson Stadium Tuesday to visit with the media in advance of the 16th annual Tennessee Baseball Leadoff Banquet, which takes place Wednesday at the Knoxville Convention Center.
Here are some excerpts of Helton's question-and-answer session with the local media, which took place in front of the No. 3 jersey decal that has been permanently placed on the stadium's outfield wall. During Wednesday night's banquet, Helton will officially become the first UT baseball player ever to have his jersey retired. The event is sold out, with more than 1,300 people scheduled to attend.
Helton's opening remarks:
"Obviously, it's an honor to have my jersey retired. To be out here on the field that I played on for three years, and to see my jersey on the wall is a humbling experience. I am very excited to be here, and I'm excited to see that No. 3 up (on that wall) in orange."
Talk about this past season with the Colorado Rockies and the tremendous finish the team had.
"It was kind of like a dream. It happens so quickly. First thing you know we're .500, and we're playing pretty well. We kind of sat down and talked and said, 'If we're going to do this thing, we are going to have to sweep this road trip coming up (against Los Angeles and San Diego).' And we did it.
"It was one of those things where we just could not lose. And once that happened, we came home said, 'We're not done with this thing. We're going to keep it going.'
"I think the best thing about it was each and every night somebody else would come through and be a hero for us. We felt like it was a team effort. That doesn't happen. To win 21 out of 22 doesn't happen in the game of baseball.
"Showing up at the field everyday, you always think you have a chance to win. But when you show up to the field, and you know you're going to win, that's kind of a different feeling. It's something that I felt was going to happen, but I didn't think it was going to happen that quickly."
What was the atmosphere like for the National League play-in game against San Diego?
"It was crazy. The only comparison is a UT football game. It was loud, and the fans were into every pitch. That's what you see on TV for many years, but to be able to go out there and experience it was unbelievable.
"It was a roller-coaster of emotions. I thought we were going to win the game and had it sewed up. And then Hairston hits the big home run for (San Diego), and it feels like your guts are just laid out there on the field. In a matter of three or four minutes, the game is over and we've won, and you're not sure what happened. I'm sure San Diego was feeling the same way and wondering what the heck happened too."
Talk about the support your fans have given you over the years.
"I felt like they have suffered with me in the losing for 10 years, and that they could relate to how I was feeling. It was neat. I got a lot of great responses from the fans, and the whole off-season has been great. Going up and talking to people and seeing how they have reacted to what we did the last couple of months of the season is great."
Did the Rockies' postseason run maybe re-energize you a bit?
"Mentally it did. But physically, it's getting tougher and tougher to go out. I enjoy playing the game that I love playing. It doesn't matter who is on the team or if we are winning or losing. I enjoy the game of baseball. I have always said that I will play until they drag me off the field."
What were some of your most memorable moments while playing baseball at UT?
"During my last year (in 1995), the stands would be packed every night. There would be an excitement about UT baseball. That was obviously a great experience.
"And hosting the (NCAA) Regionals here and making it to the College World Series with all my family here and all my friends was probably another one of the highlights of my baseball career."
Are you able to appreciate now how special it was to be a part of two Southeastern Conference championship teams (1994 and 1995)-especially considering how hard it is to win a baseball championship in the SEC?
"We expected to win SEC championships. That was just one of the things we expected to do each and every year. Our main goal was to win the College World Series, which we never did. But we got to go to the dance (in 1995), which was pretty neat. I still have my rings. I don't where them that much, but I do take them out and look at them every once in awhile."
What do you think about UT's new head baseball coach, Todd Raleigh?
"I talked to him within a week of his hiring. He seems like a great guy. He has his work cut out for him, but it seems like he's brought some energy to the program. From what I hear, the (players) are working hard. You have no excuses for not winning at the University of Tennessee, because they give you all the resources in the world."
How does it feel to return to Knoxville and be honored for your outstanding career as a Volunteer?
"It seemed like the perfect day. I have always said that I'd be back and for us to just set a date and do it. When they said they were going to retire my jersey, I said I'd be on the first plane.
"It's a special thing to have your jersey retired from anywhere. But from the University of Tennessee ??? playing baseball ??? the first one ever ??? it's hard to put into words how special that is."
