Colorado Springs – Todd Helton stood in the clubhouse Tuesday afternoon, the Rockies on television behind him, a nutritional shake in his hand. There was a striking resemblance to the player last seen in uniform April 19. He had lost 10 pounds, but not his perspective.
Helton, who will return to the Rockies’ lineup Friday night, was asked if he ever cursed his fate, questioned why in the beginning of a rebound year he found himself medicated and bedridden. He tilted his head in disbelief, body language backed by strong words.
“As blessed as I am and have been, are you kidding me?” Helton told The Denver Post.
Speaking for the first time since being diagnosed with acute ileitis, an inflammation of the small intestine that landed him on the disabled list, Helton seemed almost embarrassed talking about his illness. The five-time all-star first baseman has forged a reputation on being tough, growing up around folks who “only went to the hospital to get something sawed off.”
Still, Helton, 32, found the concern and support of teammates, friends and fans “wonderful and overwhelming.”
The gravity of his situation – there was a fear the first few days he might have Crohn’s disease – never worried Helton.
“No, I wasn’t scared. I am not smart enough to be scared, to know all the medical (terms) they were throwing around,” Helton said. “They had me hooked up to IVs. I was on pain medication. I wasn’t worried. I figured they would figure it out and I would get better.”
Helton began riding a bike Friday and hitting over the weekend. During batting practice with the Triple-A Sky Sox, the only thing that appeared out of place was his No. 28 jersey. He sprayed balls to all fields and blasted a few home runs at Security Service Field.
His game at-bats were predictably rusty. He went 1-for-3 with a groundout, strikeout and single to right.
“I felt a little off, but I saw the ball well,” Helton said. “I’m going to take BP today, keep working at it. I’m going to be fine.”
During his absence, Helton became more reflective about his future and cognizant of his health.
“I do put too much emphasis on the game and not enough on my family,” said Helton, who credited his wife, Christy, for forcing him to seek medical treatment. “I realize that I am not bulletproof. It’s a tough thing that happened, but it came at a very good time personally.”
Helton remains unsure what caused his illness. The Rockies will continue to monitor his condition. He will remain on a bland diet and plans to stop dipping tobacco.
“I know I have to take better care of myself,” Helton said. “If everything continues going the way it is, I believe it’s a one-time thing.”
What he missed most was his teammates, playing in games that matter for a Rockies team in first this late in the season for the first time since July 3, 2000.
“It didn’t drive me crazy watching the games on TV, because the game’s a lot easier on TV,” said Helton, who called this year’s club better than the 2000 Rockies. “I just missed being around the guys. And I really missed the competition. I am excited about getting back there Friday.
“I don’t know what (manager) Clint (Hurdle) has planned. But I am going to be at first base, so it could get ugly if he puts somebody else out there.”
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be
reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
