Todd Helton, the famed first baseman of the Colorado Rockies, spent two days of rehabilitation in Grand Junction as a member of the Grand Junction Rockies.

 

Helton, who had been recovering from a strained right hip, asked to be sent to Grand Junction as part of his rehabilitation program.

"I could have gone anywhere I wanted but chose Grand Junction because I had never been to Grand Junction and it was something new for me."

For Grand Junction Rockies' fans, Helton's assigment with the local Rockies was an exciting chain of events.

The Hall-of-Famer came to town on July 20 and played in two games against the Missoula Osprey.

A Friday (July 20) press conference with Helton was held at Suplizio Field at 5:15 p.m. with local television and area sportswriters in attendance.

A variety of questions were asked. The first question was in reference to the main reason for Helton's time in Grand Junction. "I'm going to be working on getting my swing back," was his answer. Helton also made reference to the fact that he was not moving out of the box after a hit or going to his right while on defense as well as he would like to be.

How Helton would respond to the young players around him while in Grand Junction was answered smoothly. "I can talk to them and will try to help them correct things they ask about. In the end, it is about repetition in the proper way to do things right."

Helton was quick to put down rumors that had him relegated to pinch-hitting because of the hip injury. "Not going to happen," replied Helton.

In retrospect to the growing number of fans who seem to be disgruntled, Helton was humble in replying, "We're lucky to have the fans we have. They have supported us through the 2007 season and on. We know we have to perform better because we don't want to lose our fans."

Helton had a good two days of rehabilitation in Grand Junction with a three-for-five performance in two days of play. One negative note would come from Saturday night's collision with a Missoula player at first base that left Helton a little sore the next day.

All said and done, Grand Junction fans, and the surrounding communities, had the opportunity to see a true Hall-of-Famer play in their own back yard.

Word has it, yet another Colorado Rockies player may have a shot at playing in Grand Junction. Troy Tulowitzski may be the next in Grand Junction.

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