Todd Helton will finish his career where it began. The Colorado Rockies and the first baseman, who ranks first in franchise history in most offensive categories, have agreed to a two-year, $9.9 million contract extension that covers 2012 and 2013.

The Colorado Rockies decided about 10 years ago to build around their slugging first baseman. Now, while the team is no longer built around a single player, Troy Tulowitzki anchors the middle of the lineup and the middle of the diamond, making shortstop the one position where the Rockies have no questions.

The Colorado Rockies once had such a glut of young third basemen that they tried to shift a couple to a new position and then had a glut of backup second basemen. Now, all but one of those third base prospects are gone and the one still standing owns the job the Rockies have waited years for him to claim.

Offseason rumors linked the Colorado Rockies to many free agent infielders, any of whom would have impacted this position in some way if they had signed. Yet, after all the shopping, the Rockies likely end up with the same second baseman to start 2010 as they finished 2009.

First base has been by far the most stable position in Colorado Rockies history — the franchise has had just two regular first basemen in 17 seasons. While no change at the position is likely this year or even next, the Rockies should be beginning to wonder what will happen beyond 2011.

Team declines to offer contract to Garrett Atkins, making third baseman’s long-expected exit official.

Chris Iannetta, the Colorado Rockies’ forgotten catcher, played hero with a walkoff two-run home run in the 11th inning to pick up Huston Street, who blew his first save since June 2. The Rockies’ magic number drops to three with the win and the Atlanta Braves’ loss to Florida.

The St. Louis Cardinals clinched the National League Central at the expense of the Colorado Rockies, who saw their lead in the wild-card standings dwindle to 2 1/2 games.

The Colorado Rockies failed to capitalize on a fast start provided by a Troy Tulowitzki three-run home run and fell to the San Diego Padres, who came from behind to again play spoiler.

The Colorado Rockies squeezed out just enough base hits against Dan Haren and the Arizona Diamondbacks to pick up a game in the wild-card standings on the Giants, Braves and Marlins, who all lost.

Five-run ninth enables Rockies, who had scored 21 games in first seven games of the trip, to blow out Diamondbacks and move 3 1/2 games ahead of Giants in wild-card race

Rockies salvage final game of series in San Francisco and head to Arizona with 3 1/2-game lead in wild-card with 15 games to play.