Outfielder Charlie Blackmon is set to retire after dedicating 14 remarkable seasons to the Colorado Rockies. This announcement marks the end of an era for both the player and the franchise.
Known for his iconic bushy beard, Blackmon revealed his retirement plans on Monday. The Rockies are planning to honor him during their final homestand this week, culminating in a special tribute before the season finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
Over his illustrious career, Blackmon became the franchise’s all-time leader in triples with 67. He ranks second in several categories, including games played (1,618), runs scored (991), hits (1,797), doubles (333), extra-base hits (626), and total bases (2,942). Notably, he clinched the NL batting title in 2017 with an impressive .331 average.
Drafted by the Rockies in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft from Georgia Tech, Blackmon made his major league debut on June 7, 2011, against the San Diego Padres.
As he approaches the end of his career, the 38-year-old boasts a .292 batting average, 226 home runs, and 148 stolen bases. He has also earned the Silver Slugger award twice, underlining his status as one of the league’s elite hitters.
Rockies owner Dick Monfort expressed his emotions regarding Blackmon’s retirement, stating, “Charlie’s passion and dedication to the game of baseball, this organization, and our great fans was on display every single day. I can’t thank him enough for pouring his heart into every game and every at-bat over the course of his 14 years here. Charlie is a Rockie to his core.”
In a heartfelt message on Instagram, Blackmon concluded with, “I’ll hop over that fence, pickle the beast and embrace the next phase of my life.” This sentiment reflects his readiness to move forward while cherishing the memories made during his time with the Rockies.
