Former NL Rookie of the Year Tommy Helms dies at 83

Field Level Media|published: Mon 14th April, 17:32 2025

September 7, 2013: Tommy Helms, who the Reds traded to get Joe Morgan, was one of the honored guests during the unveiling of the Joe Morgan statue in front of Great American Ball Park.

Former National League Rookie of the Year Tommy Helms, a two-time All-Star for the Cincinnati Reds, has died at 83.

The Reds Hall of Fame and Museum announced his death. Cathy Helms, wife of Tommy, said he died Sunday in Cincinnati.

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Reds Hall of Fame second baseman Tommy Helms. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/Orx27lgOhn
— RedsMuseum (@RedsMuseum) April 13, 2025

Helms played 14 seasons, primarily for the Reds (1964-71) and Houston Astros (1972-75).

Helms won top NL rookie honors in 1966 and was named an All-Star in each of the next two seasons.

Helms also won two Gold Gloves (1970-71) for his stellar defense as a second baseman.

After his sixth season as a Cincinnati starter, Helms was dealt to the Astros in a huge eight-player blockbuster trade in November of 1971. Among the players the Reds acquired was second baseman Joe Morgan, who went on to win two NL MVPs in a Hall of Famer career.

Helms finished his career by playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1976-77) and Boston Red Sox (1977).

Helms was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 1979.

In 1,435 games, Helms batted .269 with 34 homers and 477 RBIs. He led NL second baseman in fielding percentage three times.

Helms served two fill-in stints as Reds manager (12-15 in 1988, 16-21 in 1989). The first was while Pete Rose was serving a 30-day suspension for physical contact with an umpire and the second came after Rose was suspended for life for gambling on baseball.

--Field Level Media

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