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Todd Helton arrived at Lindsey Nelson Stadium and strolled toward the dark green outfield fence where an orange jersey with his familiar No. 3 was freshly painted.

"Just to be out here on the field where I played for three years and seeing my jersey on the wall is humbling," the soft-spoken Colorado Rockies slugger said Tuesday.

The official retirement comes tonight during UT's annual Leadoff Banquet starting at 6 at the sold-out Knoxville Convention Center. Helton becomes the first UT baseball player to have his number put aside.

But on this cool, overcast afternoon, a laid-back Helton glanced over his right shoulder and reiterated how appreciative he was of UT's gesture and the lifestyle major league baseball affords him and his family.

"It's where I grew up and matured as a baseball player," he said staring toward home plate. "If I weren't a baseball player, I'd probably be working at Winn-Dixie."

Helton, a .322 lifetime hitter who owns the bulk of the Rockies' offensive records, would like to see UT recapture the excitement of his era (1992-95). The Vols were 151-50, won two SEC championships, one SEC East title and made a trip to the College World Series.

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton is doing his part. The stadium is undergoing the first phase of a major renovation project and Coach Todd Raleigh, who replaced Rod Delmonico after last season, was hired to return the Vols to national prominence.

It was that way before Helton, who also played football for the Vols, arrived on campus.

"I remember there weren't that many fans in the stands the first couple of years," Helton said. "My last year it was packed every night and there was an excitement about UT baseball and it was a great experience."

So is the homecoming, although the Knoxville native realizes controlling his emotions in front of the huge gathering will be tougher than crushing Randy Johnson's slider.

"What I'm worried about is I won't be able to put it into words how I feel," the unflappable Helton said. "It's going to be emotional."

The former Central High School star, who led the Bobcats to a state championship and unbeaten record, promised not to tear up. That's not his style.

"But those feelings will be running through me," he admitted. "I grew up in this town. Going to the (UT) games - football and baseball - it was privilege enough just to get to play here. And then to be able to say that my number is retired is special for me."

The world saw firsthand just how emotional Helton can become last October.

All the bad seasons during Helton's career in Denver were exorcised the instant Colorado defeated San Diego in a tiebreaker game and advanced to the National League playoffs as a wild card.

The first baseman pumped his first and jumped in the air for joy after squeezing the ball in his mitt for the final out.

"Ten years of frustration just let out," he said. "A lot of people said they'd never seen me that emotional. They'd never seen me win. I'd been 10 years in the big leagues and had one winning season."

Colorado won 14 of its last 15 games before sweeping the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks to reach the World Series for the first time.

"The run we went on was astonishing," he said.

Many of the Rockies' young players like shortstop Troy Tulowitzki have been awarded multi-year contracts. That should make Colorado West Division contenders for years.

"We have the nucleus to be good for a lot of years," he said. "I'm happy they're locking up the right guys up. They're good people, they enjoy the game and play hard."

Helton, who has carried the Rockies for years, saw light at the end of the tunnel during spring training in 2006.

"I saw it coming but I didn't see it this quick," he said. "I figured I was going to be hobbling around the bases, so I've got a few years left to enjoy it."

Helton turns 35 in August.

"I plan on playing as long as they let me," he said. "I've got four years on my contract. After that I'll play for free."

Helton's latest trip to Knoxville - he also visited his hometown about a month ago - has been part of a whirlwind offseason for the face of the Rockies' franchise.

"It's been short, a lot shorter than usual," he said. "I've been hunting (elk) and spent some time in Montana. I've also spent time with the family, relaxed and enjoyed my (down) time."

That's almost over.

"I'll be headed down to spring training next week," he said.