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 tip of his 14th season in Main League Baseball. He has been a member of the Rockies his whole profession.
“Right now 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 proclaims his retirement from Main League Baseball. pic.twitter.com/NiBaSMPDeV
The Rockies revealed they are going to have fun his legacy throughout the upcoming weekend collection towards 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 Area!
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 house 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 drive.
He received 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 house 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 for the reason that 2009 marketing campaign.
The 38-year-old hasn’t been in a position to replicate these numbers of late and hit .249 with 11 house runs by 118 video games this season. He was additionally scheduled to turn 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 everywhere in 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 house runs (226), fourth in RBI (797) and third in walks (482).
It will likely 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.
