Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post calls for Todd Helton to retire:

Why? The sound of the bat never lies. And the sound of the Helton’s once-splendid bat connecting with a pitch is now a dull thud. Baseballs that once happily skipped to the outfield wall, launched from a beautiful swing by Helton, now go to die meekly in the glove of a shortstop.

In recent years, Helton has tried everything to get his groove back. He has spent countless hours in the batting cage. Checked in with the doctor to fix his bad back. Traveled to Casper and back, searching for lost youth.

Nothing has provided more than temporary relief from the nagging suspicion Helton will never again hit .300 and we should savor his next home run trot as if it might be the last one.

This is the first year that every aspect of Helton’s offense went bad. When his power dipped, he kept his OBP lofty enough to help the team. He recovered from that 2008 dip to have a good season in 2009. At age 36, the chance of a rebound is less likely. Maybe he can hang on as the veteran pinch hitter, and less action will restore his bat (see Jason Varitek). Most baseball players don’t retire on their own, however. They are forced into the decision by clubs deciding that they have better options than first baseman in his late 30s with no power.