Best all-time player for each MLB team

Seattle Mariner Ken Griffey Jr. (R) is congratulated by teammate Alex Rodriguez (L) after Griffey hit his 16th home run of the year in the fourth inning at Toronto's Skydome 18 May against the Blue Jays. The three-run shot ties him at the top of the American League with Rodriguez. AFP PHOTO Carlo ALLEGRI (Photo by CARLO ALLEGRI / AFP) (Photo credit should read CARLO ALLEGRI/AFP via Getty Images) /

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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 17: Owners Dick Monfort (L) and Charlie Monfort (R) present former first baseman Todd Helton /

Colorado Rockies: Todd Helton

There are only two possible choices here for the Rockies — Todd Helton or Larry Walker. Helton gets the nod because he spent his entire career with the Rockies and is the all-time leader in most important offensive categories for the franchise that made its debut in 1993.

Helton had a borderline Hall of Fame career for the Rockies. He batted .316/.414/.539 in 17 years with 2,519 hits. Helton was elected to the All-Star Game five straight times from 2000 to 2004. Over the first eight full seasons of his career, he batted .338/.435/.610 with 266 home runs. He nearly won the Triple Crown in 2000 by batting .372/.463/.698 with 42 home runs and 147 RBI. That year, Helton also had 59 doubles, finishing one shy of the rare 60-double season.

Make no mistake about it, Helton’s career numbers are inflated by spending his entire career in Coors Field. In 2000, he batted a ridiculous .391/.484/.758 at home. For his career, he was a .345/.441/.607 hitter at Coors. Helton was also no slouch on the road. He batted .287/.386/.469 away from Denver. Add it all up, and Helton looks like a Hall of Famer. His short peak and the inflated numbers due to altitude will make him a difficult candidate for some older voters to evaluate. If Larry Walker continues to gain in the vote, that will bode well for Helton, one of the classiest players ever.

Honorable Mention: Larry Walker, Troy Tulowitzki, Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez

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