Todd Raleigh was a catcher in the Boston farm system and remains a devout Red Sox fan.

Nevertheless, the University of Tennessee baseball coach and Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, have one thing in common: They were hoping the 2007 World Series would go beyond four games.

The Red Sox beat the Rockies on Sunday to complete a sweep the best-of-seven series - and Raleigh and Helton were disappointed.

"I even thought about going up to Fenway (Park) this week," Raleigh said Tuesday. "I've been there many times. My brother was at game one and said it was an electric atmosphere. I wanted more games but it was good to see Todd get there. He has got to be thrilled."

The former Vol - Helton also played quarterback for UT after his days at Central High School - will get another thrill Jan. 30 at the annual UT Leadoff Banquet at the Knoxville Convention Center. The Knoxville native will be inducted in UT's Baseball Hall of Fame and his Vols' No. 3 baseball jersey will be retired.

Helton also will be the featured speaker for the 6:30 event. Tickets cost $35 and corporate tables (10 tickets) will be available for $300 each. Tickets can be purchased by calling 865 974-9079.

The 11-year veteran, who has a ,332 career average, could have been a member of the winning team. The Rockies considered trading Helton to the Red Sox, but that didn't materialize because Boston wasn't willing to part with prize pitching prospects.

The Rockies won 21 of 22 games to reach the World Series but lost their touch during a week-long layoff leading to the Series.

Raleigh understands what the Rockies were up against besides the best team in the American League.

"People don't realize but there is such a fine line between getting it done and not getting it done," Raleigh said. "Timing is everything in baseball whether you're a pitcher or hitter."

The three-day All-Star break is the longest scheduled layoff from the time team's begin playing exhibition games in March and the end of the regular season in October.

"Even when I played in college or professional baseball, if you had two days off it felt like three weeks just from the timing and the pitching. "Nine days? That's unheard of. It couldn't have helped them."

Boston got on a roll while the Rockies sat around.

"The Red Sox were hot and it was almost a perfect storm," he said. "They came back 3-1 (against the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS) and had all the momentum. Rolled back in with (Josh) Beckett pitching game one. He was unhittable. Everything went Boston's way."

Raleigh was asked about the UT team he inherited from Rod Delmonico before fall practice. He declined comment. He said he hadn't seen the players on the field in game situations.

A few things became evident after the Orange and White intrasquad series.

"Our pitching isn't deep," he said, "but I like the frontline guys we have. Offensively, we may not have the superstars in the middle of the lineup like in the past, but one through nine we should be scrappy."

Kentrail Davis, a freshman outfielder from Theodore, Ala., who was Colorado's 14th-round draft pick but elected not to sign with the Rockies, was as good as advertised.

"He is, every bit," Raleigh said. "The Rockies put a lot of money on the table and he chose to come to school. He is going to be a great, great player here."

On Schedule: UT athletic director Mike Hamilton said renovation of Lindsey Nelson Stadium, which is schedule to be completed before the home opener Feb. 22 against Morehead State, is on schedule and budget.

"When I went down there the past couple of days, I said, 'Oh, boy, is this going to get done prior to baseball season?' " Hamilton said. "I actually asked that very question of our contractors and our university facilities manager this week and they assured me it is on schedule."

In a nutshell, phase one of the project consists of new locker room, team lounge and training facility for UT players as well as offices for UT and 1,000 additional seats.

"The primary focus of this phase was player areas first," he said. "Of course, we're fortunate that we still have the use of the current clubhouse, if there should be any delays."

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.