Does Todd Helton seem to come out only after dark now?Has the Rockies’ true blood become 3-2 Count Dracula? The Great Lestat?
We’ve always known that opposing hurlers had to nail a clove of garlic on the clubhouse door, carry a cross and drive a stake through Helton’s heart to get him out after he fouls off nine pitches.
But is there something strange we don’t know about Helton?
Is he a full-time batsman and a part-time Batman?
The Rockies’ would-be Hall of Fame first baseman from 1997-2009 has appeared in the sun only twice this regular season — the first time was on opening day in Milwaukee, where the indoor stadium’s roof was open, and the other game was opening day in Denver.
The Rockies have played five day games in April. On Thursday, Helton was not in the lineup for the third time in the daytime. He has started in all four NIGHT games.
I went out to the ballpark on a bright, sunny Denver afternoon to talk to Helton — an interview, as it were, with a vampire.
Should I have taken Buffy the Vampire Slayer with me? A mirror to find out if Helton has a reflection? Should I check his teeth? Wear a turtleneck?
But Helton was not in his stall in the Rockies’ clubhouse. I didn’t discover a black cape or a Transylvanian. “He may be taking a nap in the trainer’s room,” somebody said.
Sleeping upside down — or in a coffin?
Helton was gone. Oh, right. Day game. Manager Jim Tracy had scribbled Jason Giambi’s name third in the batting order.
“I need to check with Todd and see if he is still sore from last night,” Tracy said.
Odd. Last night? Sore? What was Helton doing after dark?
Is he 36 or 2,036 years OLD?
If Tracy keeps Helton out of the lineup — in April or September, in Milwaukee or Denver — it must mean Toddy Ballgame has become a night-stalking vampire who does like to emerge in natural light.
After all, in 11 of his 12 full seasons with the Rockies, Helton has played in 144 or more day and night games, 150-plus in nine years. He was limited to only 85 games in 2008 because of a back injury.
Wouldn’t Tracy — a sage baseball manager and a smart man — normally start Helton on Thursday against the Mets and right-handed pitcher Mike Pelfrey?
Helton is 6-of-7, with four walks, a home run and five runs batted in against Pelfrey in previous seasons. Helton just, er, bites Pelfrey.
The only meat we would get from Todd on Thursday was at the new Helton’s Burger Shack behind the left-field bleachers. I bought the burger with fries — and ketchup? — and settled into section 151 to hope Helton would scream one right in my lap.
But no No. 17 in the Rockies’ ugly 5-0 loss. Well, every player wore uniform No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. Helton wasn’t even in the dugout.
What is the deal with Tracy and Helton at these day games? Helton didn’t play on April 7 in the final game of the opening series at Milwaukee. He came into the season 6-for-13 lifetime, with a homer, five RBIs and four walks against starter Doug Davis. Then Helton didn’t step into the sunshine last Sunday against the Padres, and all he had done against pitcher Jon Garland was go 4-for-6, with two doubles and an RBI. And, Thursday, Helton’s not playing against Pelfrey.
Helton has batted a combined .615 vs. that trio. Without Helton in three of the five day games, the Rockies have scored only eight runs — none on Thursday — and dropped two of three. With him in the lineup during the day, the Rockies have scored 12 runs and won both games. Meanwhile, Giambi is hitting .000 (0-of-7 with four walks, no RBIs and no runs scored). And, truthfully, an error by Giambi, not so nifty around the bag, may have cost the Rox a win over the Brewers, and, against the Mets, the right-handed first baseman couldn’t make a play in the hole that the lefty Helton probably would have stabbed.
Helton is hitting a slick .333 overall.
Since Helton was missing after the game too, Sherlock asked Tracy to solve the mystery.
“Todd is sick and vomiting with flulike symptoms he first experienced last night. He didn’t come to the ballpark.”
But would Helton have played if he could? “Having an .857 hitter against Pelfrey in the lineup would have been very attractive.”
What about Tracy’s new philosophy, with Helton’s approval, of resting his first baseman more often this season — in day games following night games? “Will he play about 117 games?” I asked.
“He’ll play more.”
I did not ask Tracy if he thinks Helton is a vampire. It is not a proper question after a shutout.
Assuming Helton is healthy, will he play Sunday afternoon? Because Braves’ right-handed starter Jair Jurrjens has been whacked for five hits (two doubles) in 11 official at-bats (.454) and three walks to the man, the myth.
“Todd will play if he can.”
Sunlight becomes him.
Woody Paige: 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com
