Tommy Helms, a two-time MLB All-Star who played for and managed the Cincinnati Reds, has died at the age of 83.
A cause of death has yet to be announced for Helms, who played for the Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox in his career from 1964-77.
His first full season was the Reds was in 1966, where he won National League Rookie of the Year.
It was in Cincinnati that he enjoyed his best days in baseball. As a second baseman for the Reds, he was a two-time All-Star but he never won a World Series during his time as a player.
In 1989, he replaced Pete Rose as Reds manager after Rose was declared permanently ineligible from working in baseball following accusations he had bet on Reds games.
Tommy Helms, a two-time MLB All-Star who played for and managed Cincinnati Reds, has died
It was his second time stepping in and managing the team he played for.
The year before Rose was forced to step away from the game for good, he replaced him for a 30-day period after Rose got banned for pushing an umpire.
‘We are saddened to hear of the passing of Reds Hall of Fame second baseman Tommy Helms,’ the Reds wrote on social media. ‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.’
Helms’ two sons, Tommy Jr and Ryan, who played for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox respectively. Both sons died just months apart in 2014.
Helms’ nephew, Wes, also played 13 seasons in the big leagues for the Florida Marlins, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies before his career came to an end in 2011.
