On September 23, 2024, legendary Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon announced his retirement from the Rockies after 14 seasons all spent with Rockies. Blackmon decided it was time saying,
“As a kid you play the game because you love it, like nothing else matters. I still play the game that way, but I don’t feel like a kid anymore. My perspective has changed.”
Blackmon made his MLB debut on June 7, 2011, against the Padres playing left field and going 0 for 3. A month later he broke his foot ending his season but not before hitting his first home run. The next two seasons for him were tough because of a congested outfield that included all stars Carlos Gonzales and Dexter Fowler. Blackmon struggled to get playing time appearing in just 124 games during the 2012 and 2013 seasons combined. But following the departure of Dexter Fowler Blackmon had his chance to solidify being an everyday player and he pounced on that opportunity by having a breakout year in 2014. Blackmon appeared in 154 games that year while aso batting 288 with 19 home runs and 72 RBI’S. He also was selected to his first all star game that July while also winning his first silver slugger award. His next few years were good for him batting over 280 both years but 2016 is when he had a breakout year. Blackmon batted 331 with 34 home runs and 104 RBI’S. This good play helped lead the Rockies to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. The next few years were more of the same and that leads us to today where he has announced his retirement. There is no doubt that Charlie Blackmon will go down as one of the greatest Rockies ever and I don’t think it will be too long before we see 19 up there with 17 and 33.
