Tommy Helms was a professional baseball player who played as a second baseman and shortstop for various teams during his career. He was born on May 5, 1941, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and began his baseball career in the minor leagues in 1959.

Helms made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 1964 with the Cincinnati Reds, where he played for six seasons. During his time with the Reds, he was known for his defensive skills and was awarded the Gold Glove Award in 1966 and 1970. He was also a part of the Reds' 1970 World Series championship team.

In 1972, Helms was traded to the Houston Astros, where he played for four seasons. He was again recognized for his defensive skills and won the Gold Glove Award in 1971 and 1973. He was also named to the National League All-Star team in 1970 and 1971.

After his time with the Astros, Helms played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox before retiring in 1977. He finished his career with a .269 batting average, 464 runs scored, and 29 home runs.

After retiring from playing, Helms became a coach and manager in the minor leagues. He also served as a coach for the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers in the MLB. In 1993, he was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

Overall, Tommy Helms was known for his defensive skills and was recognized with multiple Gold Glove Awards during his career. He was also a part of a World Series championship team and was named to the All-Star team twice. After retiring from playing, he continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and manager.