Knoxville Unveils Special Purple Milkshake to Honor Baseball Legend Todd Helton

Knoxville Celebrates Todd Helton with a Special Milkshake

In a delightful twist of fate, the city of Knoxville is celebrating its own baseball legend, Todd Helton, not just with a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, but with a mouthwatering addition to the local menu. That’s right, folks! Helton has been immortalized in the form of a purple milkshake at the beloved Knoxville eatery, Sam & Andy’s.

An Iconic Partnership

This year has been monumental for Helton, a former first baseman for the Colorado Rockies and a proud alumnus of the University of Tennessee. After his recent induction into the Hall of Fame, Helton continues to capture hearts as he becomes the inspiration behind a new dessert at Sam & Andy’s—a staple in Knoxville since 1946.

The restaurant’s owner, Chris Captain, shares a long-standing friendship with Helton, making this partnership particularly special. “It’s almost 80 years that we’ve been in business, and Todd’s a part of it now,” Captain remarked, highlighting the exciting milestone.

The Delicious Details

So, what exactly can we expect from the Helton’s Hall of Fame Milkshake? This tempting treat features purple-dyed vanilla ice cream, a sprinkle of edible glitter, white chocolate morsels, and an entire slice of homemade cheesecake! If that doesn’t sound dreamy enough, the shake even has Helton’s jersey number, 17, adorning the straw. This number not only represents his uniform but also commemorates the 17 years he dedicated to Major League Baseball—all with the Rockies!

A Tribute Worth Celebrating

The inception of this delectable milkshake was inspired by Helton’s trainer, Charlie Petrone, who previously had a menu item named in his honor. Upon hearing about that, Helton and Captain began brainstorming on how best to celebrate Helton’s impressive baseball career. The result? A shake that truly captures the essence of a baseball legend!

“It’s tight,” Helton chuckled, pondering over the significance of the milkshake compared to the Hall of Fame honor. “I mean, this is a close second. I can’t put it over to being in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. That’s a good-looking shake. I’m proud it has the one-seven on it. It’s really cool.”

Mark Your Calendars

The Helton’s Hall of Fame Milkshake is available for just $12 and comes with a newly unveiled display featuring a signed jersey, a purple bat, and a baseball that Helton graciously autographed. To kick off the excitement, Sam & Andy’s is hosting a special meet-and-greet event with Helton on October 26, making it a date every fan should mark on their calendars!

Giving Back to the Community

Since hanging up his cleats, Helton has truly embraced his role within the community that raised him. He has a street named after him on the University of Tennessee’s campus and has taken the time to connect with the recent National Championship-winning Tennessee Baseball team.

Additionally, the Farragut Youth Baseball Fields have been renamed the Todd Helton Baseball Complex, honoring his roots and the lasting impact he’s made on young athletes in the area. Reflecting on his childhood, Helton fondly shares, “I used to go fishing with my dad in the morning with my baseball uniform on, park the boat, go up and play baseball, run back down to the boat and go fishing more. It’s one of my favorite days … in my life.”

A Legacy to Remember

In July, Helton solidified his place in sports history as the first former Tennessee player to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Over his remarkable career, he achieved a .316 batting average, 2,519 hits, and numerous accolades including five All-Star selections and four Silver Slugger awards.

Reflecting on his incredible journey, Helton stated, “It’s a huge honor to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame, and it’s not easy to get into. I was just basically honored to be in the same breath or in the same Hall of Fame as all the great players before me.”

Knoxville is beaming with pride for its homegrown hero, Todd Helton, and thanks to the creative minds at Sam & Andy’s, fans can celebrate his legacy while indulging in a sweet treat that truly represents his amazing career!