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Helton getting back in shape for 2009

Rehabilitation under way after operation

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 5, 2008 at 7:48 p.m.

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The Rockies expect to have an old face in a new lineup in 2009.

Todd Helton, recovering from surgery to clean up a bulging disk in his lower back, has begun an offseason rehabilitation program that gives the Rockies reason to feel he will be full strength by spring training.

Helton played with lower back soreness for several years but finally gave in to the problem in July because the disk problem created a numbness in his left leg.

"I have a lot of confidence in our doctors and trainers and all indications are if Todd follows his program, he should be fine," general manager Dan O'Dowd said.

And Helton, 35, is ready for the challenge.

"I realize I have a lot of work ahead of me," the first baseman said. "As far as strength, I am as low as I have ever been, but that's because we've had to take things slowly. We want to build off each thing we do, not rush things and get in trouble."

Helton said the struggles of 2008 are an incentive for his comeback in 2009.

"He has a lot of pride," O'Dowd said. "Nobody has ever questioned his motivation to be an elite player."

After 10 seasons of 144 games or more - including 154-plus in seven - Helton was lost for all practical purposes last season on the first weekend of July.

He played in only 83 games and hit .264 with seven home runs and 29 RBI, all the low points of his career.

All signs are positive for his return.

"Last year was very frustrating," he said. "I don't like sitting and watching. Actually, maybe it was good for me in a sense. It made me realize how miserable it is to not play. That was a motivation for me to stay on top of this thing and not let it sideline me."

Even with the pain he was in last season, Helton had the respect of the opposition.

"When he's in the lineup, it changes everything," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's the guy you keep an eye on because you don't want to face him in that game situation. He has such a good feel for what he is capable of, and he has the discipline to force you to challenge him.

"He can wear a pitcher out because he can foul off good pitches, waiting to get something to drive. Even if you get him. he has you set up for the next guy."

Even with the troubles of last season, Helton had a .391 on-base percentage. He had 11 more walks (61) than strikeouts (50).

But Helton prides himself on producing runs, and that didn't happen often enough last season. In 299 at-bats, he had 23 extra-base hits (seven home runs, 16 doubles) and 29 RBI. It was the residual of not having the power in his lower body in his swing, which prompted him to go to the Rockies' medical staff in June.

"I knew something was wrong," Helton said. "My back was sore and my leg didn't work. I was going to go as long as I could. . . . . I had played here 10 1/2 years with only secondary hurts. Then this."

O'Dowd is well aware of that.

"With Todd doing what he is capable of we are a better club," he said.

And Helton's value goes up with the plan to trade left fielder Matt Holliday and third baseman Garrett Atkins during the offseason, replacing them with Seth Smith and Ian Stewart. Neither has played a full major league season.

But they both have shown offensive potential. What the Rockies need, though, is the return of a productive Helton, the revival of Troy Tulowitzki from his sophomore struggles and the continued evolution of Brad Hawpe.

But Helton knows he can't force the issue.

"I can't work as hard as I want to," he said. "We don't want to aggravate things. I have to take things slowly. There's soreness, but it's a soreness from muscles being pushed."

Besides, Helton said, soreness isn't a concern.

"I played with soreness for a couple years," he said. "I can deal with soreness. What I couldn't deal with (last year) was when my leg was not working. That's when I had to get something done."

Comments

  • November 6, 2008

    2:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mkcampin2 writes:

    TODD HELTON,

    HE BETTER BE WORRIED,

    HE HAS ALOT TO PROVE TO EVERYBODY, INCLUDING HIMSELF

    CAN HE RESTORE HIS NAME?

    CAN HE RESTORE HIS REPUTATION AS A PROFESSIONAL HITTER?????

    ALL I AM SAYING IS HE BETTER BE REAL HUNGRY IN 2009

    AND HE BETTER NOT BE CONTENT WITH A .305 TO .315 BATTING AVERAGE

    HE IS TOO GOOD A HITTER FOR THOSE KIND OF STATS.

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