Tommy Helms, Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer, dies at age 83
Fanduel Sports Network's John Sadak, Barry Larkin and Jim Day remembered Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Tommy Helms, who died Sunday at the age of 83.
"Tough news to share," Sadak said during Sunday's broadcast. "Reds Hall of Famer Tommy Helms has passed away. Lost at the age of 83. National League Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star. 1979 Reds Hall of Fame inductee. Lost today. Information shared by his surviving wife, Cathy, who said that 'Tommy is a Red to the core. Kept his Reds hat on through his last days. He was so proud to be in the Reds Hall of Fame and wore his Reds jacket with pride.' The Reds plan to honor Tommy and his passing this homestand. Our condolences to his family."
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"He could light up any room," Day said. "I mean he was just one of those funny guys and just a pleasure to be around. Any room he was in he just uplifted the spirits."
Reds Hall of Famer Tommy Helms in 2014
"Good man!" Larkin added. "Good, great man. … Tommy would light up a room. Always smiling, joking. Great man."
Helms was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 5, 1941. He was a batboy for a semipro team managed by his father in Leaksville.
Helms played baseball and basketball at West Mecklenburg High School. He signed with the Reds shortly after his 18th birthday.
Helms was the Reds' third baseman for one season, but he became the team's second baseman in 1967 when Pete Rose moved to the outfield.
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Helms was a National League All-Star at second base in 1967 and 1968, and won Gold Gloves in 1970 and 1971.
In November 1971, the Reds traded Helms, first baseman Lee May, and outfielder Jimmy Stewart to Houston for Ed Armbrister, Jack Billingham, Cesar Geronimo, Denis Menke, and Joe Morgan.
In 1983, he returned to the Reds as a member of the coaching staff, as infield instructor and first-base coach. He became the team's interim manager for a month in 1988 while Rose served a suspension for shoving an umpire.
In 1989, when Rose accepted a plea agreement that called for his lifetime ban from baseball for gambling on games, Helms was named interim manager again. He managed the team through the end of the season.
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Helms was a regular at Redsfest throughout recent years.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Tommy Helms, Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer, dies at age 83
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