Rick Helling

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Rick Helling
Starting pitcher
Born: December 15, 1970 (1970-12-15) (age 37)
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 10, 1994
for the Texas Rangers
Final game
September 9, 2006
for the Milwaukee Brewers
Career statistics
Win-Loss     93-81
Earned run average     4.68
Strikeouts     1058
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • Tied for the most wins in 1998 (20-1).
  • Started the most games in 1999 (35-1) and 2000 (35-1 tie).

Richard Allen Helling (born December 15, 1970, in Devils Lake, North Dakota) is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball.

Contents

[edit] High school years

Helling attended Lakota High School in Lakota, North Dakota for three years, before graduating from Shanley High School in Fargo, North Dakota. He was a letterman in football, basketball and baseball. In football, he was a three-time All-Conference honoree.

[edit] Pro career

Rick had his best season by far in 1998 going 20-7 tying for the American League lead with David Cone and Roger Clemens.

Helling was a member of two World Series Championship teams - the Florida Marlins team that won the 1997 World Series, however he was traded to the Rangers midway through the season, and the Florida Marlins team that won the 2003 World Series. During the 2003 post season he went 4-0 as a relief pitcher despite allowing 7 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings.

After coming off the disabled list, Manager Ned Yost reassigned Helling to the bullpen until his arm was fully healed.

On June 20, 2006, Helling struck out three batters on nine pitches — Curtis Granderson, Plácido Polanco and Iván Rodríguez — in the first inning of a 10-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Helling became the 28th National League pitcher and the 37th pitcher in Major League history to accomplish the nine-strike/three-strikeout half-inning.

On February 5, 2007 he announced his retirement to spend more time with his family.[1] He is currently residing in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. [2]

[edit] Archenemy

In his book Chuck Klosterman IV, journalist Chuck Klosterman said that Helling has been his "archenemy" since the 8th grade.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Roger Clemens		 American League Wins Champion
1998
(with Roger Clemens & David Cone)		 Succeeded by
Pedro Martinez
v • d • e
Florida Marlins 2003 World Series roster
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