In a poignant farewell, Charlie Blackmon, the esteemed outfielder for the Colorado Rockies, has declared his retirement, marking the conclusion of a remarkable 14-year career spent entirely with the franchise.
On Tuesday, Blackmon shared the news via social media, reflecting on his enduring passion for the game. “I continue to play the game like a kid because I love it, but I don’t feel like a kid anymore, and my perspective has changed,” he noted.
Expressing gratitude, Blackmon stated, “I have been blessed to call the city of Denver and the Colorado Rockies my baseball home for the entirety of my career. I am thankful for the unwavering support of this organization, my teammates, and above all, Rockies fans. With a grateful heart and a wealth of memories, I now choose a new path.”
Selected in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Dallas, Blackmon made his major league debut in 2011. By 2014, he had emerged as a prominent figure within the Rockies, distinguished by his trademark bushy beard and the nostalgic walk-up tune “Your Love” by The Outfield. His consistent hitting prowess solidified his status with the NL West club.
In 2017, Blackmon claimed the National League batting title, boasting an impressive .331 average, along with a career-high 37 home runs and 104 RBIs. That season, he finished fifth in MVP voting, leading the league in hits, runs, and triples, while guiding Colorado to its first postseason appearance in eight years. The subsequent year, he propelled the Rockies to their first playoff series victory since 2007.
A four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger, Blackmon has compiled a career batting average of .292, with 226 home runs and 797 RBIs as he approaches the final week of the 2024 regular season. He holds the record for the most triples in Rockies history with 67, and his 1,797 hits, 2,942 total bases, 333 doubles, and 1,618 games played rank second in franchise history, just behind Hall of Famer Todd Helton.
At 38 years old, Blackmon has six games remaining in his illustrious career, all scheduled at Coors Field. The Rockies will face the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-game series before concluding the season against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Currently positioned last in the NL West with a record of 60-96, the Rockies have been eliminated from postseason contention.
To honor Blackmon’s legacy, the organization plans to celebrate his contributions during the final regular-season series, including a special pregame ceremony on Sunday.
“When Charlie shared his retirement plans with me, I felt a wave of emotion, as I’m sure many fans will upon hearing that one of the greatest Rockies of all time will no longer grace the field,” said Rockies owner and CEO Dick Monfort. “It has been an absolute privilege to witness Charlie’s career unfold here at Coors Field. His passion and commitment to baseball, this organization, and our incredible fans were evident every day. I can’t thank him enough for pouring his heart into every game and every at-bat over the past 14 years. Charlie is a Rockie to his core, and although his playing days are coming to a close, he will undoubtedly remain a vital part of this team in numerous capacities moving forward.”
