Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 30, 1990 TAG: 9006300195
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HUNTINGTON, W.VA. LENGTH: Medium
Helms, a second baseman, began his professional career this week with the Huntington Cubs of the rookie Appalachian League. He is the son of Tommy Helms, the 1966 National League Rookie of the Year and former manager of the Cincinnati Reds.
The younger Helms, fresh out of high school, got his first start Tuesday night against the Bristol (Tenn.) Tigers and went 0-for-4. He hit a two-run double Wednesday night.
While he shares a familiar name, the younger Helms intends to succeed or fail on his own. He's even asked the Huntington team's public address announcer to introduce him simply as Tommy Helms, without the Jr. after his name.
" ... Just because of your name doesn't mean you're going to make it," he said. "If you can play, you can play."
The younger Helms, 18, graduated from Western Hills High School in Cincinnati, where he batted .500 as a senior and was named all-city.
He was drafted by the Cubs this month and considered a year of junior college ball in hopes of gaining weight - he's 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds. But he decided to sign with the Cubs last week.
"I gave it a lot of thought, and as long as I play hard, I'll have no trouble," Helms said. "I'm going to learn more here than I could anywhere else."
The elder Helms played in the majors for 14 years, the first eight with the Reds as a second baseman, third baseman and shortstop. He averaged .284 as a rookie.
He's now manager of the Chicago Cubs' AA affiliate, the Charlotte Knights at Fort Mill, S.C., two rungs up the minor league ladder from Huntington.
The younger Helms was 7 when his father retired from baseball. He remembers little of his father's playing days.
by CNB