Todd Helton's Hall of Fame induction includes a tale for the ages

Todd Helton earned induction to the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum in Cooperstown, New York, and Knox News literally traveled by plane, train and automobile to cover the ceremony.

The IT outages stranded reporter Mike Wilson in New York, so he kicked it old school and traveled by Amtrak to Upstate New York. There, in the idyllic town of Cooperstown, Helton earned his enshrinement .

A Knoxville native . A standout Vol . Now a Hall of Famer.

Helton was a force of consistency throughout his 17-year career spent entirely with the Colorado Rockies. A sweet-swinging, slick fielding first baseman, he posted a career .316 batting average.

On this edition of “ The Volunteer State ,” Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and Wilson of the News Sentinel unpack Helton’s journey from Knoxville to Cooperstown (and Wilson’s hectic, circuitous journey there, as well). They examine Tennessee’s impact on Helton’s career and why some Vols fans still remember him best as a quarterback.

Here’s a snippet of the discussion:

What is Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame like?

It is a baseball junkie's dream that brings out all the childhood memories and nostalgia attached to the game for so many. Idyllic small town in such a funny little setting for such a big deal – and a large weekend. The induction itself is in a massive field outside the city.

Why is Todd Helton a deserving Hall of Famer?

Helton was the ultimate consistent hitter during his career – a pure hitter who lashed opposite-field doubles and homers to right field. He could just flat-out hit.

WILSON: Todd Helton, a child’s Make-A-Wish, and a full-circle moment at Baseball Hall of Fame

TOPPMEYER: Why Paul Finebaum is all in on Tennessee football, but I'm not quite there

What did Todd Helton say about Tennessee and Knoxville?

Helton clearly holds affection for Tennessee. He wore a Power T pin on his suit jacket, and he referenced Tony Vitello and the Vols winning the national title. His formative years and baseball memories are so highly shaped by Knoxville and his experiences from Little League through college.

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Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's SEC Columnist and a published author . Mike Wilson covers the Vols with award-winning coverage for the News Sentinel. You can subscribe to read all their coverage , or check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Todd Helton's Hall of Fame induction includes a tale for the ages