A decent player collecting ROY
honors….was named to 2 all star teams and gold glove awards….Established
himself in the Reds lineup in 1966….took over 3rd base and hit solid
.284 being the league’s top rookie….switched to 2nd base his sophomore
year and continued hitting near his ROY pace for several seasons…..strictly a
line drive hitter at one stretch hit 6 home runs over 4 season with the Reds…. batting did decline in1970 and rebounded
somewhat in 1971….At the end of the season ,Helms was dispatched to Texas with the
Reds looking to gain speed made a blockbuster
trade with Astros….some baseball experts sided that it was more advantageous
to Houston who let go of the speedy yet underperforming Joe Morgan….outcome
Houston improve slightly while the Reds return to formidable status…..Helms BA
remains static and RBI slightly increase….But Morgan accelerates to elite
status, a consistent contender for MVP, and eventual HOF honors….Helms
continues journeyman work in Houston for four years….tailed off in 1975 his
last year as an Astro….was able to hang as a reserve in Pittsburgh and
Boston 1976-77.
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