Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Todd Helton may be one of the more underrated players in the history of Major League Baseball.

The slugging first baseman played his entire career with the Colorado Rockies and had nothing short of a legendary career.

Helton was a key factor in the Rockies reaching the World Series back in 2007.

But as Hall-of-Fame voting gets underway and we draw closer to the moment when certain former players get the call, Helton is one that may get swept under the rug a little bit, thanks to the so-called “Coors effect.”

Still, from 2000-04, the Rockies legend put up some pretty legendary numbers that certainly help his Hall-of-Fame case.

The OPS+ is an interesting statistic to look at here.

During that period of time, Helton’s OPS+ was the third highest in the National League, trailing only Albert Pujols and Barry Bonds.

He may not have generated the same type of fanfare that players such as Pujols or Bonds did, but Helton was undeniably one of the greatest hitters in the history of the game, and these averages from that five-year span help his case.

Along with Scott Rolen, Helton may be one of the more underrated players that currently sit on the ballot and are hoping to get the call later this month.

Rockies fans would certainly be pleased to see one of their own get elected to the Hall of Fame.

Helton would join his former Rockies teammate in slugger Larry Walker, who was enshrined in 2021.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa reportedly makes physical change amid contract talks
Do Oilers need more from Connor McDavid to get to Stanley Cup Final?
All-Rookie teams show gems available all over draft
The NBA has not witnessed this much parity in 50 years
Knicks expected to be 'aggressive' in upgrading their roster
Drew Bledsoe offers advice for Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye
2024 AFC revenge games: Brothers, 'Stefon Diggs Bowl' to take center stage
2024 NFC revenge games: Which game should Cowboys, others have circled?
How All-Star Race victory could turn Joey Logano's season around
Xander Schauffele's triumph could open the floodgates for his career
Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen will finish off their trilogy in a boxing ring
Ranking the five best MLB free-agent signings of offseason
Veteran WR, former first-round pick announces NFL retirement
Oilers advance to West Final again after holding off Canucks in Game 7
Bengals star WR not expected to sign franchise tender before OTAs
Red Sox RHP diagnosed with ligament damage in elbow
Watch: Caitlin Clark shows off range with logo three, but Fever fall short
Former Dolphins receiving leader announces his retirement from NFL
Detroit Lions dominate PFF's top-25 players under 25
Hall of Famer, legendary Raiders offensive lineman dead at 86

Want more Rockies news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.