Todd Helton Receives Horse from Rockies in Emotional Retirement Ceremony

The Colorado Rockies said goodbye to Todd Helton on Wednesday night, and as a parting gift to arguably the greatest player in franchise history, they gave him a real horse.

"

What an emotional moment: Watching Todd Helton and his family swell with pride as the Rockies presented him with a beautiful horse at Coors.

— Rob Black (@RobBlackWyo) September 26, 2013"

Earlier this month, Helton announced that he will retire from MLB after this season. Amazingly, all 17 of his years in the big leagues have been with the Rockies, the team which drafted him in 1995. 

Wednesday's game against the Red Sox was the Rockies' last home game of the season, as the team will head to Los Angeles to close out the year against the Dodgers.

Helton spoke to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post about the game and his retirement: "Mentally, 17 years is enough, and physically it's definitely enough. I think I'm at peace with it."

A horse wouldn't be the most practical gift for most people, but the organization knew that Helton owns a ranch.

"

Todd Helton is retiring from baseball tonight. Has a ranch with 1 horse. So the Rockies gave him another horse. Best retirement gift ever.

— lizzy (@thinlizzy17) September 26, 2013"

Helton met his horse, named "A Tru Bustamove," on the field during his retirement ceremony on Wednesday.

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Todd Helton meets his gift from the Rockies organization, horse_ebooks pic.twitter.com/hHNSk1PqBa

— ⓣⓗⓔ ⓡⓘⓚⓔⓡ ⓛⓘⓚⓔⓡ (@andymoney69) September 26, 2013"

Helton's retirement gift may have been the best of the 2013 season, which is certainly saying something. 

"

Todd Helton's one present of a horse is better than all the presents Mariano got combined

— John Feitelberg (@JFeitelberg) September 26, 2013"

In addition to the horse, he was also given a handmade saddle and silver handle, which can be seen in the video below.  

When the Rockies took the field in the top of the first inning, Helton's teammates made sure that he would get the crowd's undivided attention.

"

Todd Helton runs out to the field, and his #Rockies teammates stay behind in the dugout, forcing him to draw all of the attention.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 26, 2013"

His daughter, Tierney Faith Helton, threw out the first pitch of the game.

"

MLB COL - Todd Helton presented with a horse, his daughter threw out 1st pitch, Peyton Manning in dugout http://t.co/CfhuRfe17Q

— Danielle Fusco (@DaniFusco) September 26, 2013"

An artistic Rockies fan also painted a picture of Helton earlier this week, portraying him as a centaur.

"

FINALLY!(?) Todd Helton as a centaur: http://t.co/d9tUqmBdm9 pic.twitter.com/OJ6YwZAPQy

— Cut4 (@Cut4) September 23, 2013"

Helton has been the most prolific hitter in Rockies history, and he proved it once again with a home run and double Wednesday. The Rockies ultimately fell 15-5 to the Red Sox, but that didn't dampen the atmosphere. 

The first baseman has a career .317/.414/.540 line with 2,518 hits. He's blasted 369 home runs and has recorded 1,406 RBI with 1,401 runs scored.

The five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger and three-time Gold Glover made his MLB debut in 1997.

Helton's magical career will come to an end after this season, and the Rockies made sure that he knew how much they appreciated his time with the club in his last appearance at Coors Field.

Follow @JoshSchoch