Rockies all-timer Charlie Blackmon is retiring from baseball
Colorado's longtime outfielder said Monday he is walking away after 14 seasons — all spent with the Rockies.
Toniiiiight.
With a walk-up song that served as Coors Field’s soundtrack and his name etched up and down the team’s record books, Colorado’s bearded face of the franchise is retiring from baseball.
Charlie Blackmon is hanging up his cleats.
Blackmon, 38, said Monday he will retire after this season. The outfielder’s 14 seasons with the Rockies are second-most in club history, trailing only Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Todd Helton.
The Rockies will celebrate the popular player during a season-ending series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“I have been blessed to call the city of Denver and the Colorado Rockies my baseball home for the entirety of my baseball career,” Blackmon said on social media. “I am grateful for the support of this organization, my teammates and most of all, Rockies fans. It is with a thankful heart and a career’s worth of memories that I choose a new path.”
Blackmon, 38, owns a career .292 batting average with 991 runs scored, 1,797 hits, 333 doubles, 67 triples, 226 home runs, 797 RBIs and secured 148 stolen bases across 1,618 games with the Rockies.
He’s a four-time All-Star (2014, 2017-19) and two-time Silver Slugger (2016-17).
Blackmon ranks in the top six in franchise history in triples (first), games played (second), runs scored (second), hits (second), doubles (second), extra-base hits (626, second), total bases (2,942, second), walks (482, third), RBIs (fourth) and home runs (sixth).
Perhaps his finest achievement in baseball was the respect Blackmon earned from teammates, who marveled at his relentless workouts and a competitive streak that never wavers.
“When Charlie told me of his plans to retire I got a little emotional, as I’m sure many fans will when they see the news that one of the greatest Rockies of all-time will no longer take the field,” Rockies owner and chairman Dick Monfort said in a press release. “It has been an absolute privilege watching Charlie’s career from start to finish here at Coors Field.”
The Rockies selected Blackmon in the second round of the 2008 MLB draft. He helped them to the playoffs in 2017 and 2018 and won the National League batting title in 2017 with a .331 average. The 2017 season was Blackmon’s finest. He finished fifth in National League MVP voting and led the league in runs, hits, triples and total bases.
“Today I’m a ballplayer looking over the fence into uncertainty. For what is behind me, I am grateful. My cup runs over,” Blackmon said on social media. “I have been blessed more than any man should expect. I was afforded this opportunity by my parents and sister, who supported my passion and have always been there. My wife Ashley has continued to support my dream and works so hard to give our kids the same opportunities I received.
“But most importantly, I have been saved by grace and divine intervention has tilted the scales in my direction.”
The Rockies will host a pregame ceremony honoring Blackmon’s career beginning at 12:40 p.m. Sunday.
Blackmon began growing his trademark beard in 2013 and it has been a fixture in the Rockies’ lineup since. His walk-up, “Your Love” by The Outfield, has been LoDo’s most famous song.
“I don’t know what is on the other side of the fence, but I take solace in knowing one thing remains constant. Although names and faces will change, the game will continue to be played,” Blackmon said.
“I’ll hop over that fence, pickle the beast and embrace the next phase of my life.”
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The Charlie Blackmon file
—Games played: 1,618 (2nd in Rockies history)
—Runs scored: 991 (2nd)
—Hits: 1,797 (2nd)
—Doubles: 333 (2nd)
—Triples: 67 (1st)
—Home runs: 226 (6th)
—Walks: 482 (3rd)
—Extra-base hits: 626 (2nd)
—Total bases: 2,942 (2nd)
—RBI: 797 (4th)
