Tommy Helms, baseball player, 1964-1977

Tommy Helms

Born: 5/5/1941 in Charlotte, NC, USA

Died: 4/13/2025 in Cincinnati, OH, USA

MLB Debut: 1964-09-23 | Final Game: 1977-10-01

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 165 lbs

Full name: Tommy Vann Helms

Biography

Tommy Helms was born in 1941 and enjoyed a notable Major League Baseball career from 1964 until 1977. Primarily known as a position player, Helms played in 1,435 games across his career, where he established himself as a reliable hitter and a tenacious competitor. He concluded his time in the league with a batting average of .269, amassing 1,342 hits, 34 home runs, and 477 RBIs. Helms was also recognized for his speed on the basepaths, totaling 33 stolen bases over his career. Helms's contributions to baseball were highlighted by his selection as the Rookie of the Year and the TSN Rookie Player of the Year, showcasing his immediate impact upon entering the league. He was named an All-Star twice, further solidifying his reputation as one of the solid performers of his era. Playing primarily during a time of transition in the game, Helms exemplified the balance of skill and grit, making him a respected figure in baseball history. His ability to consistently perform at the plate and in the field left a lasting impression on the teams he played for, contributing to both their successes and his legacy in the sport.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
1435 4997 414 1342 223 21 34 477 33 231 301 0.269 0.300 0.342 0.642 -6711.6

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
8 29 1 7 0 0 0 0 1 2 0.241

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1970 WS CIN 5 18 1 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.222
1970 NLCS CIN 3 11 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.273

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
2B 1129 1097 2688 3237 101 807
3B 143 126 119 238 16 20
SS 74 51 102 149 13 32

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Second Base 1129
Third Base 143
Shortstop 74
Designated Hitter 13

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1968 Most Valuable Player NL 25th 1.0 280 0
1966 Rookie of the Year NL 1st 12.0 20 12