Charlie Blackmon is ending his career. The four-time All-Star announced tonight (on X) that he will retire at the end of the season.
“As a kid, you play the game because you love it, like nothing else matters,” Blackmon wrote. “I still play the game that way, but I don’t feel like a kid anymore. My perspective has changed. I have been fortunate to call the city of Denver and the Colorado Rockies my baseball home for my entire career. I am grateful for the support of this organization, my teammates and most importantly, the Rockies fans. It is with a grateful heart and a career full of memories that I choose a new path.” Blackmon also thanked his family in a lengthy statement.
Blackmon spent parts of 14 seasons in the major leagues and played 17 years as a professional, all of which he spent with the Rockies. Colorado drafted the left-handed outfielder in the second round out of Georgia Tech in 2008. Blackmon reached the major leagues three years later and was one of the best outfielders in the National League by the middle of the decade.
Colorado traded Dexter Fowler to Houston in the 2013-14 offseason. That paved the way for Blackmon, who had played only part-time in recent years, to take over center field. Then-manager Walt Weiss included him in the opening night lineup in 2014. That began a streak of 11 consecutive years (including this season) in which Blackmon was part of Colorado’s opening night lineup.
Blackmon seized the opportunity, hitting a .288 batting average with 27 doubles and 19 home runs, earning him his first All-Star nomination. He had similar numbers the following year before really emerging as an offensive force in 2016. Blackmon hit a .324/.381/.552 batting average with 29 home runs, earning his first of back-to-back Silver Slugger Awards. He returned to the All-Star Game the following season in the midst of a career year.
During his 30th season, Blackmon posted a batting average of .331/.399/.601 and led the majors with 725 at-bats. He hit 37 home runs, 35 doubles and 14 triples, an MLB best. Blackmon won the NL batting title and led the majors with 213 hits and 137 runs scored, an incredible feat even at Coors Field and deservedly earned him his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award. Blackmon finished fifth in voting for NL MVP and helped the Rox to their first playoff berth in eight years.
More to follow.
