Featured Columnist IVSeptember 23, 2024
John Fisher/Getty Photographs
Charlie Blackmon is looking it a profession.
The Colorado Rockies outfielder introduced his retirement Monday close to the top of his 14th season in Main League Baseball. He has been a member of the Rockies his total profession.
“In the present day I am a ballplayer trying over the fence into uncertainty,” he wrote. “For what’s behind me, I’m grateful. My cup runs over. I’ve been blessed greater than any man ought to count on.”
Charlie Blackmon @Chuck_Nazty
FOX Sports activities: MLB @MLBONFOX
Charlie Blackmon declares his retirement from Main League Baseball. pic.twitter.com/NiBaSMPDeV
The Rockies revealed they’ll rejoice his legacy throughout the upcoming weekend sequence in opposition to the Los Angeles Dodgers:
Colorado Rockies @Rockies
This weekend is for @chuck_nazty 🫶
Fireworks Friday
Charlie T-Shirt Giveaway Saturday
Pre-Recreation Ceremony SundaySee you at Coors Discipline!
Blackmon made his main league debut throughout the 2011 season however did not seem in additional than 82 video games till the 2014 marketing campaign.
That 12 months was his breakout effort, as he made his first of 4 profession All-Star Video games and slashed .288/.335/.440 with 19 residence runs, 72 RBI and 28 stolen bases. It was the beginning of a powerful stretch that noticed him make three straight All-Star Video games from 2017 by 2019 as he established himself as a dominant offensive pressure.
He gained back-to-back Silver Sluggers in 2016 and 2017 and completed fifth in Nationwide League MVP within the second of these years when he slashed .331/.399/.601 with 37 residence runs, 104 RBI, 14 triples and 14 stolen bases.
Blackmon led the league in batting common, complete bases (387), hits (213), runs (137) and triples that season whereas main the Rockies to the playoffs. It was the franchise’s first postseason look because the 2009 marketing campaign.
The 38-year-old hasn’t been capable of replicate these numbers of late and hit .249 with 11 residence runs by 118 video games this season. He was additionally scheduled to change into a free agent after this season, so there was a little bit of uncertainty in regards to the subsequent step earlier than Monday’s announcement.
That uncertainty is now not current, and he will certainly be remembered fondly amongst Rockies followers as a cornerstone of the group for therefore a few years.
His title is all around the all-time Colorado leaderboards, as he’s second in franchise historical past in runs scored (991), hits (1,797), complete bases (2,942), doubles (333) and stolen bases (148). He’s first in triples (67), sixth in residence runs (226), fourth in RBI (797) and third in walks (482).
It is going to be uncommon to see a Rockies lineup with out Blackmon’s title in it throughout the 2025 marketing campaign, however he made his mark in franchise historical past and is hanging up his cleats after a protracted and profitable profession.
