Helton to retire at season's end

Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton is set to retire at the end of the season, the team announced after Saturday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The 40-year-old Helton has played 17 seasons in the major leagues with the Rockies.

"For seventeen years, number 17 has been the icon of Colorado Rockies baseball," Rockies owner Dick Monfort said.

Helton, a five-time All-Star, distinguished himself as one of the game's best hitters. He has a career .317 batting average with 367 home runs, 1,397 RBIs and 1,394 runs in 2,235 games. Helton also holds club records for games, hits, doubles, homers, RBIs, runs and walks.

His final home game in Coors Field will be Sept. 25.