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Brett says Helton can hit .400

By Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 23, 2000

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Todd Helton can hit .400.

That comes straight from the man who chased that elusive barrier two decades ago before settling for a .390 average that still stands as the highest achieved in a full season since Ted Williams batted .406 in 1941.

"I think it can be done," George Brett said, "and I think Todd's the guy to do it, too."

Lest anyone think of Brett as someone whose skill doesn't extend to dissecting the ability of others: He returned Tuesday afternoon from a brief trip to the Royals' Class AA affiliate in Wichita. While there, he offered a few tips to slumping prospect Jeremy Dodson before Monday's game. Dodson responded with three hits and four RBIs.

Now, back to Helton, the Colorado first baseman who took a .398 average into Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Helton's mark is as high as any player has been this late in the season since Brett stood at .400 on Sept. 18, 1980.

"He's a guy who has dealt with pressure since his college days as a quarterback at Tennessee," Brett said. "I see a guy who dealt with pressure when he got the starting job in Colorado after they traded Andres Galarraga, who was a fan favorite. He's dealt with adversity in being the new kid in town, taking over for a legend and responding very well."

Brett remembers well the pressure of his 1980 chase. The Royals were cruising that September. They would win the American League West by 14 games. All attention therefore centered on his .400 bid.

"With two weeks to go," Brett recalled, "I was still over .400, I found out this is really important. And I did the one thing I probably shouldn't have done: I went out and tried to hit .400, rather than just go out there and not worry about it."

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