Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon announces retirement after 14-year MLB career

One of the most underrated players in the National League, Charlie Blackmon, announced his retirement on Monday, marking the end of a 14-year Major League Baseball career spent entirely with the Colorado Rockies.

Drafted in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft, just one pick ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Blackmon made his big league debut in 2011 and earned his first All-Star selection in 2014. The outfielder went on to win two Silver Slugger Awards in 2016 and 2017. His 2017 season was particularly remarkable, as he finished fifth in MVP voting while leading the league in runs scored (137), hits (213), triples (14), and batting average (.331).

Despite his individual success, Blackmon’s postseason opportunities were limited. The Rockies reached the playoffs only twice during his tenure, falling to the Diamondbacks in the 2017 Wild Card game and getting swept by the Brewers in the 2018 National League Division Series.

Excluding the shortened 2020 season, the 38-year-old recorded at least 100 hits in every year since 2013.

Against the Diamondbacks, Blackmon found particular success, playing 182 games against Arizona—more than a full season’s worth. In those matchups, he hit .316 with 26 home runs, 220 hits, and 123 runs scored.

Sharing his thoughts on social media, Blackmon expressed gratitude: “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 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 chose a new path.”