Todd Helton gets accused of trying steroids in the past

[Bronco LB 59]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2018289

Updated: Mar. 21, 2005, 12:14 PM ET
Helton unforgiving of broadcaster Hagin for comments
ESPN.com news services


Todd Helton contacted a lawyer Sunday after learning former Colorado Rockies broadcaster Wayne Hagin suggested the All-Star first baseman used steroids in the 1990s.

"I am not going down without a fight if someone talks bad about me and lies about me," Helton told the Denver Post on Sunday. "I don't care if it was an accident or not. I am forever linked to it."

Helton, who is considering legal action, said he was angered and hurt by Hagin's comments on ESPN Radio in St. Louis on Saturday, in which the current Cardinals announcer said former Rockies manager Don Baylor told him that Helton had tried "the juice."'

"I would like to extend a hunting trip to him deep in the woods somewhere," Helton told ESPN on Sunday.

The controversy began Sunday when Hagin said: "I'm going to say something that is the absolute truth, and he will be mad at me for saying it if it gets out, but Todd Helton, a tremendously gifted baseball player, he tried it. I know he tried it because Don Baylor told me. He said to me, "I told him to get off the juice, that he was a player who didn't need that, get off it. It made him into a robot at first base defensively, and may have altered his swing.' He got off it, but he is not unlike so many athletes who have tried it because they wanted to get into that level playing field."

Hagin has since apologized and clarified his statements, telling ESPN Radio on Sunday that he "was referring to supplements, creatine, not steroids" when he said "juiced" and that there was "no way I would have said Todd was on steroids."

Helton did not seem swayed by Hagin's retraction.

"He shouldn't have said anything in the first place about things he didn't know about," Helton told the Denver Post. "I am still really peeved."

Helton and Baylor have confirmed that Helton had used creatine but that the first baseman stopped after the two discussed it during Helton's rookie season.

"We discussed creatine and that was the end of the conversation," Baylor told ESPN in a statement Sunday. "Steroid use was never even a question with me in regards to Todd Helton.

"He [Hagin] has his facts wrong."

Helton, who denies using steroids and has been outspoken against them, told ESPN on Sunday that Hagin's comments have caused "a lot of damage" to Helton and his family.

"I have never done steroids ... I have never had to do them ... I don't think anybody should do steroids and its amazing that something that one guy says can cause this much havoc," Helton said.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Hagin has been all over the radio trying to back track. Helton is going to be on ESPN radio right now 12:35 pm

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Whoa - He is pi33ed. He does not believe any of Hagin's explanations. Has already talked to lawyers. You can tell by his tone that he would like to beat the crap out of Hagin.

[FADERPROOF]

That Mile High stadium is enough of a boost, Helton doesnt need the steroids.

[Pezman]

Helton for the most part has really dodged and avoided the steroid spotlight mainly because of his personality. But it wouldnt suprise me to see the Denver TV media spin this into further allegations against him since that is all they seem to like to do...
Its all about their dirty laundry agenda in the quest for ratings.

Whether Helton actually took roids or not may be hard to believe. But if he did dabble in them, he would be the type that seems like he would actually tell the honest truth about it since its part of his personality. At least I think anyway......

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Denfan - It is Coors Field and the altitude only provides a 2% boost in distance. Over 350 feet that is only 7 ft. The big difference is the size of the outfield. Check the measurements against Cleveland, Cincinnati or your favorite team's stadium.

Pez - Agree about the preditory nature of the local TV stations, but need to ad the newspapers too. And I do agree Helton seems like the kind of guy who would fess up.

[Pezman]

Originally Posted by Big Guy

Denfan - It is Coors Field and the altitude only provides a 3% boost in distance. Over 350 feet that is only 10.5 ft. The big difference is the size of the outfield. Check the measurements against Cleveland, Cincinnati or your favortie team.

Pez - Agree about the preditory nature of the local TV stations, but need to ad the newspapers too. And I do agree Helton seems like the kind of guy who would fess up.

I just single out the Denver TV media since they are the ones who just sensationalized the hell out of Jon-Bonet for example. (God wasnt that the most tired thing ever) The print media, for the most part will play the role of heretic witch burners on print but they will at least attempt to back up their stories with credible sources on occasion, unlike the boob tubers, who are more interested in teasing the audience with fluffy promos and style.

If Helton gets any flack for playing in high altitude, he can more than back it up with his road stats. The dude isnt Vinny Castilla. He can actually play outside Coors Canavaral and make a hell of a dent in the statbook.

But again, if that makes him a roid user, I just cant see it. I may not be a pharmacist, but wouldnt he generally suffer some prolonged and obvious effects of roids? Anger, bigger dome, frequent injuries... I just dont know if I buy it.

[Darkhawk24]

It's my fault my fantasy team's name is Roid Rage and Helton was the 2nd player taken in my first draft a few weeks ago.

I guess news got out!

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Helton rookie:



Helton older:

[FADERPROOF]

Originally Posted by Big Guy

Denfan - It is Coors Field and the altitude only provides a 2% boost in distance. Over 350 feet that is only 7 ft. The big difference is the size of the outfield. Check the measurements against Cleveland, Cincinnati or your favorite team's stadium.

Pez - Agree about the preditory nature of the local TV stations, but need to ad the newspapers too. And I do agree Helton seems like the kind of guy who would fess up.

I know it's Coors field, I was meaning that it was a Mile High, not that it was Mile High stadium(that would suck for those guys to have to play on a concrete parking lot if they played at Mile High Stadium.)

And I dont buy that it doesnt carry the ball that much, I've seen with my eyes normal fly balls that get carried much farther than they will any other place.

[Bronco LB 59]

Originally Posted by Big Guy

Whoa - He is pi33ed. He does not believe any of Hagin's explanations. Has already talked to lawyers. You can tell by his tone that he would like to beat the crap out of Hagin.

It was entertaining to hear him right now on the radio.

Helton also stressed that he wouldn't accept any formal apologies from Hagin and he was going to pursue legal action if his lawyers can make a good case.

I can't believe Hagin ran his mouth. He might be telling the truth, but he just committed career suicide. Baseball announcers are the not in the same boat as your typical baseball journalist. They are employed by their respective baseball organizations and they are "propagandists".

I can't believe he threw Helton under the bus on "second hand" information. Basically, Helton's reputation is ruined because Hagin disclosed what he heard through the grapevine.

If Hagin ran his mouth about second hand information about Jim Edmonds, he would have been immediately canned.

[Tredici]

Originally Posted by DenFan38

I know it's Coors field, I was meaning that it was a Mile High, not that it was Mile High stadium(that would suck for those guys to have to play on a concrete parking lot if they played at Mile High Stadium.)

And I dont buy that it doesnt carry the ball that much, I've seen with my eyes normal fly balls that get carried much farther than they will any other place.

That's what is funny. Coors Field was built on the physics determined by Major League Baseball. They did everything required. So if the balls carry further just by your naked eye's ability what does that say for the geniuses who calculated the necessary stadium dimensions? It's already the biggest outfield in the league.

But your shot at Helton isn't deserved. He has the most natural swing in baseball and he hits no matter what park he is in.

[FADERPROOF]

Originally Posted by Tredici

That's what is funny. Coors Field was built on the physics determined by Major League Baseball. They did everything required. So if the balls carry further just by your naked eye's ability what does that say for the geniuses who calculated the necessary stadium dimensions? It's already the biggest outfield in the league.

But your shot at Helton isn't deserved. He has the most natural swing in baseball and he hits no matter what park he is in.

That was a shot at Helton? Saying that the park that he plays his home games at is a batters park?

I never said he's not good unless he plays at Coors field, just spoke that he doesnt need the steroids especially because he plays in a batter friendly park.

As for the MLB and their stadium dimensions, look at Minute Maid park in Houston and tell me that the MLB isnt setting up big homerun parks.

[Tredici]

Originally Posted by DenFan38

That was a shot at Helton? Saying that the park that he plays his home games at is a batters park?

I never said he's not good unless he plays at Coors field, just spoke that he doesnt need the steroids especially because he plays in a batter friendly park.

As for the MLB and their stadium dimensions, look at Minute Maid park in Houston and tell me that the MLB isnt setting up big homerun parks.

So what was Sosa's excuse? Batter friendly parks doesn't seem the reason. Some players just want to cheat. I don't think Helton will turn out to be one of them. Too square.

I was living in Houston. They were going through all kinds of physics trying to determine why the ball seem to go further in Minute Maid than the old Astrodome. Whether the roof was open. Whether it was shut. What aerodynamics applied under each situation. I figured it was because the ball and the players were juiced....

Be interesting to see if all those out of the field shots go down at all this season won't it?

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Originally Posted by DenFan38

I know it's Coors field, I was meaning that it was a Mile High, not that it was Mile High stadium(that would suck for those guys to have to play on a concrete parking lot if they played at Mile High Stadium.)

And I dont buy that it doesnt carry the ball that much, I've seen with my eyes normal fly balls that get carried much farther than they will any other place.

For the first two years, the Rockies did play at the old Mile High Stadium. It had the East stands that moved to accomodate both baseball and football. In some ways, I enjoyed the old barn better than Coors.

[FADERPROOF]

Originally Posted by Tredici

So what was Sosa's excuse? Batter friendly parks doesn't seem the reason. Some players just want to cheat. I don't think Helton will turn out to be one of them. Too square.

I was living in Houston. They were going through all kinds of physics trying to determine why the ball seem to go further in Minute Maid than the old Astrodome. Whether the roof was open. Whether it was shut. What aerodynamics applied under each situation. I figured it was because the ball and the players were juiced....

Be interesting to see if all those out of the field shots go down at all this season won't it?

Yes it will, and I highly doubt Helton is juicing, or ever juiced. Minute Maid Park and the new Brewers Stadium have just become launching pads for baseballs, seems the MLB wants the smaller parks or somehow parks to give up the homerun more. Just a few years ago, the Tigers wanted to move in the fences at Co-America because of the HR production wasn't enough.

[Bronco LB 59]

Originally Posted by DenFan38

Yes it will, and I highly doubt Helton is juicing, or ever juiced. Minute Maid Park and the new Brewers Stadium have just become launching pads for baseballs, seems the MLB wants the smaller parks or somehow parks to give up the homerun more. Just a few years ago, the Tigers wanted to move in the fences at Co-America because of the HR production wasn't enough.

Pac Bell Park in San Francisco, opened in 2000, is a pitchers park.

Safeco Park in Seattle, opened during the All-Star break of 1999, is the most extreme pitchers park in the American League.

Petco Park in San Diego, opened just last season, just might be the most extreme pitchers park in all of baseball.

[Pezman]

Originally Posted by Big Guy

For the first two years, the Rockies did play at the old Mile High Stadium. It had the East stands that moved to accomodate both baseball and football. In some ways, I enjoyed the old barn better than Coors.

Well, I'd like the old digs too... except the old Rockpile... man was that a terrible view. But only a buck!

[Master___Pain]

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

Helton rookie:



Helton older:

Did you have a point by posting these?

[dumpy]

Originally Posted by Pezman

Well, I'd like the old digs too... except the old Rockpile... man was that a terrible view. But only a buck!

It was awesome. I went to 22 games during there second season and spent a grand total of $22 on tickets. Would that even get a ticket to one game now?

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Originally Posted by Master___Pain

Did you have a point by posting these?

Yes. Usually if a guy is/was roiding you can tell simply by photos. Look at Bonds as a rookie and today:





What the hell happened to his head? Does he have brain swelling?

I think Helton took steroids, but not to the degree Bonds or McGwire did.

[Pezman]

Originally Posted by dumpy

It was awesome. I went to 22 games during there second season and spent a grand total of $22 on tickets. Would that even get a ticket to one game now?

Ah memories... dollar tickets in the Rockpile... You know its bad when the beer outcost the tickets by 400% What are they charging these days in the Coors Field ones?

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Originally Posted by Pezman

If Helton gets any flack for playing in high altitude, he can more than back it up with his road stats. The dude isnt Vinny Castilla. He can actually play outside Coors Canavaral and make a hell of a dent in the statbook.

Big difference in his home and away stats:

Split 	AB 	R 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	RBI 	BB 	HBP 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS
Home 	277	70	102	23	2	21	60	68	1	37	1	0	.368	.490	.693	1.183
Away 	270	45	88	26	0	11	36	59	2	35	2	0	.326	.446	.544	.991

You know what's amazing? Vinny Castilla nailed 21 home runs on the road and only 14 at home last year. The rest of his stats take a dive on the road though. Weird.

[Bronco LB 59]

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

Big difference in his home and away stats:

Split 	AB 	R 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	RBI 	BB 	HBP 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS
Home 	277	70	102	23	2	21	60	68	1	37	1	0	.368	.490	.693	1.183
Away 	270	45	88	26	0	11	36	59	2	35	2	0	.326	.446	.544	.991

Bob

Based on those stats you displayed, Helton can mash anywhere.

.326 BA, .446 OBP, .544 SLG and 991 OPS are all well above league average. He is still one of the top ten hitters in baseball regardless of where he plays his games.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Originally Posted by Bronco LB 52

Bob

Based on those stats you displayed, Helton can mash anywhere.

.326 BA, .446 OBP, .544 SLG and 991 OPS are all well above league average. He is still one of the top ten hitters in baseball regardless of where he plays his games.

Sure. But clearly his stats are much better at home. Double the home runs. 40 freakin' points in batting average. Almost double the RBI.