{"id":538875,"date":"2026-01-26T14:21:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T14:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/538875\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T14:21:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T14:21:14","slug":"colorado-rockies-news-rockies-set-to-unveil-larry-walker-and-todd-helton-statues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/538875\/","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Rockies news: Rockies set to unveil Larry Walker and Todd Helton statues"},"content":{"rendered":"

For years, many folks have clamored for the Colorado Rockies to honor their history. Many teams around the league have some sort of \u201cHall of Fame\u201d honoring great achievements in franchise history. The Arizona Diamondbacks came into the league five years after the Rockies did, and even they set up both a 20th Anniversary Experience in 2018<\/a> and a team Hall of Fame<\/a> in 2024. The Rays, who also joined MLB in 1998, created their own team Hall of Fame<\/a> in 2023; and the Miami Marlins \u2014 the Rockies\u2019 1993 expansion twins \u2014 created one<\/a> in 2025.<\/p>\n

In 2022, Skyler Timmins wrote<\/a> about establishing a Rockies Hall of Fame. In 2025, Evan Lang called upon<\/a> the Rockies to celebrate more of their history. After all, they now have two Hall of Famers in Cooperstown and both have had their numbers retired.<\/p>\n

While the team has not officially announced a team Hall of Fame, they did make an announcement on Saturday at Rockies Fest: Hall of Famers Larry Walker and Todd Helton would be honored with statues commemorating their time with the Rockies.<\/p>\n

While Helton was unable to attend the festival due to an illness, both Walkers \u2014 Larry and Monfort \u2014 were on hand to discuss the momentous occasion.<\/p>\n

\u201cA while back, a few of us here internally got together,\u201d Monfort explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, we have two retired numbers up there \u2014 33 and 17. It commemorates their incredible achievements as Rockies, both Todd and Larry. To me, they are a big part of me being a baseball fan today. They\u2019re just incredible athletes, and we took it a step further. We got together and decided \u2018Hey, we ought to also commemorate here at Coors Field the fact that they are also both members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo this year, we are very excited to announce that on Sunday, August 23, we will unveil a Larry Walker statue here at Coors,\u201d he continued. \u201cAnd on Saturday, September 19, we will unveil a Todd Helton statue.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to the statues, Monfort also said that fans will receive commemorative mini statues. (\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say bobbleheads because their heads don\u2019t bobble.\u201d)<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, these two have meant so much not only to me and my family personally, but to all of us Rockies fans and staff, and we\u2019re very excited that they will live forever here at Coors Field.\u201d<\/p>\n

Larry Walker said he has already met with the sculptors, and explained how much this moment means to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe number being retired, and you walk in the ballpark, and I see 33 up there, trust me, it melts my heart. It\u2019s a pretty cool honor to have that,\u201d Walker said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then when the phone call comes and says \u2018We\u2019re going to put a statue outside the ballpark\u2019 \u2014 those are two pretty cool things that when you play baseball you don\u2019t (think about). And I\u2019m glad I enjoyed my career in a Rockies uniform, and I\u2019m honored and thank you to the Monfort and Rockies family for allowing this to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Monfort mentioned that they took inspiration from the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum<\/a>, as well as the New York Yankees Monument Park<\/a>. He also said the process has been in the works for the last five or so years, with Vice President of Community Relations and Retail Operations Jim Kellogg working to secure the sculptors.<\/p>\n

Eventually, the Rockies commissioned George and Mark Lundeen of Lundeen Sculptures in Longmont.<\/p>\n

Even though the Rockies are still considered an expansion team, they do have history to be recognized and are finally leaning into it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ve been a Rockies fan for long enough, we\u2019ve been impacted by these guys,\u201d Monfort said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have memories that will never, ever go away because we were either here or we saw something on TV, and that\u2019s what this is all about. We\u2019re capturing history, and want to be able to explain our history to future generations and to the kids that are running around here that didn\u2019t have the chance to see them play\u2026 that\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

While this wasn\u2019t an official \u201cRockies Hall of Fame\u201d announcement, it is a step in the right direction. The Rockies have had some bad years as of late and won\u2019t be competitive in 2026. However, there is a new vibe at 20th and Blake; there is an optimism for what can be accomplished, and there is a lot of buy-in from coaches and players. While the statues might be part of \u201cthe future of nostalgia,\u201d it\u2019s a great way for the Rockies to continue to honor their greatest players while setting a precedent for the future.<\/p>\n

Walker, Helton statues coming to Coors Field while Condon prepares for Rockies debut | Kevin\u2019s take | Denver Gazette ($)<\/a><\/p>\n

Kevin Henry offers a look at not only the statue announcement, but other goings-on from Rockies Fest.<\/p>\n

Rockies Future Success Hinges on Development of Two Future Stars | Sports Illustrated<\/a><\/p>\n

There is a lot riding on the 2026 season, but even more in the seasons beyond. Matt Postins identifies Ethan Holliday and Charlie Condon as key cogs to turn the franchise around. So far they\u2019ve showed promise, and Condon could be in the majors potentially as early as 2026.<\/p>\n

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines<\/a> when you\u2019re commenting. Thanks!
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