Tommy Helms, two-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year dies at 83

The native of Charlotte, North Carolina played his first full season in 1966 after a two game cameo in 1964 and a brief stint in 1965. He performed well for the Reds, slashing .284/.315/380 while hitting nine home runs and logging 49 RBIs on route to National League Rookie of the Year honours.

His star continued to rise with consecutive All-Star appearances in 1967 and 1968, on a monster Reds team that included Tony Perez and Pete Rose. Given that Rose was on the team, it took a couple of years for Helms to settle in positionally. While he started at third base, he eventually found a home at 2nd.

While he was never an All-Star after '68, he did win two Gold Gloves while manning the keystone for the Reds in 1970 and 1971.

His fortunes changed however after the Reds dealt him to the Astros just prior to the 1972 season. He put up decent numbers in his first three years, before tailing off dramatically in 1975. He was acquired by the Pirates who used him as a reserve infielder before shipping him to Oakland, however, he was sent back to Pittsburgh in Spring Training of 1977.

He was released three months into the season and spent the remained of the year with the Red Sox before retiring.

He later re-joined the Reds as a coach and served as manager twice as fill-in for Rose, one during the latter's suspension, and again after he accepted his lifetime ban following gambling accusations. He was eventually replaced by Lou Piniella.

He was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 1979.