Charlie Blackmon has decided to close the chapter on his illustrious career. The four-time All-Star made the announcement this evening on X, revealing that he will retire following the conclusion of this season.
“As a child, the joy of playing the game was paramount, overshadowing all else,” Blackmon reflected. “While that passion remains, I no longer possess the perspective of youth. I am incredibly fortunate to have called Denver and the Colorado Rockies my baseball home throughout my career. My heartfelt gratitude goes to this organization, my teammates, and, most importantly, the fans of the Rockies. With a grateful heart and a treasure trove of memories, I embark on a new journey.” He also expressed appreciation for his family in a more extensive statement.
Over the course of 14 seasons in Major League Baseball and 17 years in professional baseball, Blackmon’s entire career unfolded with the Rockies. Drafted in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft from Georgia Tech, Blackmon made his debut in the majors just three years later, quickly establishing himself among the premier outfielders in the National League.
A pivotal moment arrived when Colorado traded Dexter Fowler to Houston in the offseason of 2013-14. This transaction cleared the path for Blackmon, who had previously been a part-time player, to step into the center field position. The then-manager, Walt Weiss, included him in the Opening Day lineup for 2014, marking the beginning of an impressive streak of 11 consecutive years in which Blackmon participated in Colorado’s season-opening lineup.
Seizing this opportunity, Blackmon posted a .288 batting average with 27 doubles and 19 home runs, earning his first All-Star selection. He maintained similar statistics the following year before truly breaking out as an offensive powerhouse in 2016. That season, Blackmon boasted a remarkable .324/.381/.552 slash line, hitting 29 home runs, which garnered him the first of multiple Silver Slugger awards. He returned to the All-Star Game the subsequent year during a career-best season.
At 30, Blackmon excelled with a.331/.399/.601 line, leading the majors with 725 plate appearances. His remarkable performance included 37 home runs, 35 doubles, and an MLB-leading 14 triples. Additionally, he captured the NL batting title while also leading the majors with 213 hits and 137 runs scored. Such astounding production at Coors Field earned him his second consecutive Silver Slugger award, and he finished fifth in the NL MVP voting, propelling the Rockies to their first playoff appearance in eight years.
Despite their playoff success, Colorado faced a swift exit in the NL Wild Card game against the Diamondbacks. However, they returned to the postseason the following year, with Blackmon again as a key contributor. He recorded a .291/.358/.502 line with 29 home runs and an NL-leading 119 runs. The Rockies triumphed over the Cubs in the Wild Card game that season, though they were ultimately swept by the Brewers in the Division Series.
In early 2018, Blackmon and the Rockies secured a substantial $94 million contract extension. This deal provided him with an annual salary of $21 million from 2019 to 2021 and included player options for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, solidifying his tenure in Denver.
While Blackmon continued to shine, connecting for 32 home runs and a .314 batting average for another All-Star selection, the team struggled, finishing 71-91 in 2019. The shortened season saw a record of 26-34 amidst tensions surrounding Nolan Arenado’s relationship with the front office. Following the trade of Arenado the subsequent winter, the Rockies have found themselves entrenched in a rebuild—though the front office has been hesitant to openly acknowledge this.
As Blackmon approached his mid-30s, he experienced a decline in production. Nevertheless, he maintained solid batting averages and was one of the most challenging players in MLB to strike out. However, he couldn’t replicate the power he showcased during his peak years from 2016 to 2019, leading to a shift from center field at the end of the 2018 season. For the past three years, Blackmon has spent more time as a designated hitter than in right field.
Despite the decrease in his offensive output, Blackmon’s standing within the Rockies organization remains steadfast. Last September, the Rockies re-signed him to a $13 million deal for his final season. He has unlocked an additional $1.5 million in incentives and could earn another $500,000 if he achieves 25 plate appearances in the closing week.
Now at 38, Blackmon announced his retirement boasting a career slash line of .292/.352/.479. He has participated in over 1,600 games and accumulated more than 6,800 plate appearances. Blackmon stands just three hits shy of 1,800, with 991 runs scored, 797 RBIs, and 226 home runs to his name. Both Baseball Reference and FanGraphs credit him with approximately 20 wins above replacement. However, it’s plausible that this figure may be somewhat inflated due to his home park, as Blackmon has never ranked favorably in public defensive metrics, given the vast expanse of MLB’s largest outfield.
With six more games left in the season, Blackmon has an opportunity to enhance these impressive totals. Regardless of the final statistics, he will depart as one of the most significant players in franchise history. He ranks second behind Hall of Famer Todd Helton in hits, runs scored, and plate appearances for the Rockies. Additionally, Blackmon sits sixth in the franchise’s home run tally and could tie long-time teammate Carlos González for fifth if he adds to that count this week. He ranks seventh among position players in Rockies history based on Baseball Reference WAR.
The Rockies conclude their season with a pair of home series, hosting the Cardinals for three games before wrapping up against the Dodgers. This offers the Colorado fanbase a fitting opportunity to bid farewell to one of their greatest players. MLB Trade Rumors extends heartfelt congratulations to Blackmon on an exceptional career and wishes him all the best in his retirement.
