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Charlie Blackmon

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Charlie Blackmon
Blackmon with the Colorado Rockies in 2016
Outfielder
Born: (1986-07-01) July 1, 1986 (age 38)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
June 7, 2011, for the Colorado Rockies
Last MLB appearance
September 29, 2024, for the Colorado Rockies
MLB statistics
Batting average.293
Home runs227
Runs batted in801
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Charles Cobb Blackmon (born July 1, 1986), nicknamed "Chuck Nazty", is an American former professional baseball outfielder who spent his entire 14-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Colorado Rockies. He made his MLB debut in 2011. Blackmon throws and bats left-handed, stands 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m), and weighs 220.4 pounds (100.0 kg).

A native of Dallas, Texas, Blackmon attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and played college baseball for the Yellow Jackets. The Rockies selected him in the second round of the 2008 amateur draft. Blackmon is a four-time MLB All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and the 2017 National League batting champion.

Amateur career

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Born in Dallas, Texas, Blackmon is of partial English ancestry. Raised in Suwanee, Georgia, Blackmon was an outstanding baseball player at North Gwinnett High School, as a left-handed pitcher and outfielder. Aside from baseball, Blackmon also competed in basketball and football, and was named Academic Player of the Year three times.[1]

Blackmon enrolled at Young Harris College and played college baseball for the school as a pitcher for two years.[2] At Young Harris, Blackmon won 15 games and had 138 strikeouts in 127 innings for the school, and was drafted for the first time after his freshman season.[1] In 2005, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Cotuit Kettleers.[3][4]

Blackmon received a scholarship to Georgia Tech, and transferred in the fall of 2006.[5] Blackmon had been recruited by Georgia Tech after his freshman season but returned to Young Harris for his sophomore season as he had promised the team he would play for two seasons. Blackmon continued to pitch until his fourth and final year at Georgia Tech, after redshirting due to elbow tendinitis. As a fourth-year junior outfielder for Georgia Tech, Blackmon hit .396, hit eight home runs, and stole 25 bases as the leadoff hitter for the team.[6] Blackmon also excelled academically, receiving various honors including being named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Second Team.[7] He graduated from Georgia Tech in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in finance.[8]

Professional career

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Draft and minor leagues

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The Colorado Rockies selected Blackmon in the second round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. Blackmon had first been drafted in the 28th round in the 2004 draft by the Florida Marlins as a pitcher, and was also drafted in the 2005 draft in the 20th round by the Boston Red Sox.[7] He spent 2008 with the Tri-City Dust Devils, hitting .338 in 68 games. In 2009, he was promoted to the Modesto Nuts, and hit .307 with 30 stolen bases in 133 games there. In 2010, he played for the Tulsa Drillers, and spent the first half of 2011 with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

Colorado Rockies

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2011–2016

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Blackmon in 2014

The Colorado Rockies called Blackmon up to the majors for the first time on June 6, 2011.[9] Blackmon recorded his first MLB hit on June 8 at Petco Park against Dustin Moseley of the San Diego Padres with a one-out single to right field. He recorded his first MLB RBI on June 11 against Matt Guerrier of the Los Angeles Dodgers, driving in Seth Smith with a one-out single. Blackmon hit his first MLB home run on July 1, 2011 — his 25th birthday — in a pinch hit at-bat against Joakim Soria. He finished with a .255 batting average in 27 games.[10]

The following two seasons, Blackmon spent the majority of the time between the Rockies and their AAA minor league team, as they didn't have playing time for him. After the 2013 season, the Rockies traded Dexter Fowler to the Houston Astros, thus creating an opening for Blackmon to win the center field job in 2014.

Entering the 2014 season, Blackmon was engaged in a competition for playing time in center field with Brandon Barnes, Corey Dickerson and Drew Stubbs.[11] In the Rockies' home opener on April 4, 2014, Blackmon notched six hits from the leadoff spot in a 12–2 win over Arizona Diamondbacks. He homered, doubled three times, and tallied five RBI.[12][13] He joined Ty Cobb (May 5, 1925), Jimmie Foxx (July 10, 1932), Edgardo Alfonzo (August 30, 1999), and Shawn Green (May 23, 2002) as the only players in MLB history to have six hits, five RBI, and four extra-base hits in a single game.[citation needed] Blackmon was named to the roster as a reserve for the National League in the 2014 MLB All-Star Game, the first selection of his career.[14] In his first full season in the majors, Blackmon finished with a .288 batting average, 28 stolen bases, and 19 home runs. In 2015, despite a drop-off in the RBI section, Blackmon stole a career-high 43 bases while continuing to hit for a high average.

On April 14, 2016, the Rockies placed Blackmon on the disabled list with turf toe.[15] He returned to the lineup a week later.[citation needed] For the week of June 20, 2016, and August 15, 2016, Blackmon was named the NL Player of the Week by MLB.[16] At the conclusion of the 2016 regular season, Blackmon was awarded a Silver Slugger Award for the first time in his career. He batted a slash-line of .324/.381/.552, which were all the highest totals comprised by Blackmon in a season up to this point in his career. This went along with 29 home runs and 82 runs batted in.[17]

2017–2024

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For May 2017, Blackmon won his first NL Player of the Month Award. He led the NL in hits (42) and triples (five), was second in batting average (.359), fourth in runs scored (24), tied for fifth in RBI (22), and tied for seventh with a 1.037 on-base plus slugging (OPS).[18] He was selected to play in the 2017 MLB All-Star Game, starting in center field and batting leadoff.[19] Blackmon set an MLB record for the most RBIs by a leadoff hitter when he homered versus Hyun-Jin Ryu of the Dodgers on September 29 to reach 102 RBI, surpassing Darin Erstad's record set in 2000.[20][21]

In 159 games played during 2017, Blackmon hit .331/.399/.601, winning the NL batting title. He became the first player in history to lead the major leagues in hits (213), runs scored (137), triples (14), and total bases (383) in the same season.[22] His total bases were the most since Derrek Lee in 2005. The Rockies finished the year with an 87–75 record, clinching an NL Wild Card spot.[23] Blackmon was fifth in 2017 NL MVP voting.[24]

Blackmon at bat in the 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

On April 4, 2018, Blackmon signed a six-year contract extension worth $108 million.[25] Batting .276 with 17 home runs and 40 RBIs, he was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game.[26] On September 30, he hit for the cycle against the Washington Nationals.[27] He finished the 2018 season hitting .291/.358/.502 and led the National League with 119 runs scored.

In 2019, he batted .314/.364/.576 with 32 home runs and 112 runs scored. He was named to his fourth All-Star Game. In 2020, Blackmon began the season hitting almost .400 at one point but regressed towards the tail end of the season, finishing with a .303 batting average in 59 games. He also hit six home runs and led the team in RBI with 42. In 2021, Blackmon batted .270/.351/.411 with 13 home runs and 78 RBIs. He led all National League outfielders with 14 assists.

For the 2022 season, Blackmon played in 135 games for Colorado, hitting .264/.314/.419 with 16 home runs and 78 RBI. On September 28, 2022, it was announced that Blackmon would undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. As a result, the procedure prematurely ended his season.[28] Following the season, Blackmon exercised an $18 million player option to remain with the Rockies for the 2023 season.[29]

In 96 games for Colorado in 2023, he batted .279/.363/.440 with 8 home runs and 40 RBI. On September 29, 2023, Blackmon signed a one-year extension with the Rockies.[30]

On September 23, 2024, Blackmon announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2024 season.[31] At the time of his announcement, Blackmon led the Rockies franchise in career triples, and was second to Todd Helton in games played, runs scored, hits, doubles, extra base hits, and total bases.[32][33]

Personal life

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Blackmon has spoken about his Christian faith, saying, "The love that JC (Jesus Christ) has for me, even though I don’t deserve it is unimaginable. You know, that grace is something that I try to understand every day, but it’s hard to comprehend! I try and learn more about Christ every day, and will continue to walk my path and trust every opportunity that opens to me. I just want to represent our God in what I do, on the field, how I treat people and walking by faith."[34] Blackmon is also in a Bible study group with the Rockies.[35]

Blackmon grew up as a fan of the Atlanta Braves.[5] Blackmon's father, Myron, was a track and field athlete at Georgia Tech.[6]

In 2016, Denver 7 reported that Blackmon, despite his Major League salary, drove the same 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee to spring training every day that he drove to school every morning as a high school senior.[36]

Blackmon and his wife, Ashley, were married in 2018.[37] Blackmon resides in the Belcaro neighborhood of Denver during the season.[38]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Charlie Blackmon Bio". RamblinWreck.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  2. ^ "Inside the evolution of Rockies' all-star center fielder Charlie Blackmon, the major league leadoff man no one saw coming". April 15, 2018.
  3. ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  4. ^ "2005 Cotuit Kettleers". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Charlie Blackmon" Archived June 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Cotuit Kettleers website
  6. ^ a b Jack Etkin (May 18, 2014). "Charlie Blackmon worked hard to get to where he is". Sports on Earth. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  7. ^ a b 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Second Team
  8. ^ "Charlie Blackmon | LinkedIn" Charlie Blackmon | LinkedIn
  9. ^ Gleeman, Aaron (June 6, 2011). "Rockies to put Dexter Fowler on DL, call up Charlie Blackmon". NBC Sports Hardball Talk. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  10. ^ "Charlie Blackmon 2011 Batting Game Logs".
  11. ^ McKinley, Eric (January 5, 2015). "How much playing time did Charlie Blackmon's 6-hit game buy?". Fansided Roxpile. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  12. ^ Saunders, Patrick (April 7, 2017). "Top 5 home openers in Rockies history". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  13. ^ Corcoran, Cliff (April 5, 2014). "Charlie Blackmon compiles first 6-for-6 game in NL in 5 years; Rockies crush D-backs". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  14. ^ Harding, Thomas (July 6, 2014). "Troy Tulowitzki, Charlie Blackmon to represent Rockies at All-Star Game". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  15. ^ Heaney, Tim (April 14, 2016). "Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon's turf toe kicks him to DL". USA Today. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  16. ^ "Blackmon stays hot after Player of Week nod". MLB.com.
  17. ^ "Charlie Blackmon 2016 Batting Game Logs | Baseball-Reference.com".
  18. ^ Saunders, Patrick (June 2, 2017). "Rockies' Charlie Blackmon, Greg Holland honored as National League's best in May". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  19. ^ Saunders, Patrick (July 10, 2017). "Rockies' Charlie Blackmon thrilled be leading off for National League in All-Star Game". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  20. ^ "MLB notes: Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon breaks RBI record for a leadoff batter". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. September 29, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  21. ^ Lott, Thomas (September 29, 2017). "Charlie Blackmon sets MLB record for RBIs by leadoff hitter". The Sporting News. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  22. ^ Thornburg, Chad (October 1, 2017). "League leaders: Stanton, Judge, Altuve soar". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  23. ^ Groke, Nick (October 1, 2017). "Rockies' attention quickly turns to a postseason roster for a wild-card matchup at Arizona". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  24. ^ "2017 Awards Voting". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  25. ^ "Rockies sign Charlie Blackmon to six year extension worth $108 million". MLB. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  26. ^ "Arenado, Story, Blackmon named All-Stars". MLB.com.
  27. ^ Harding, Thomas (September 30, 2018). "Blackmon 1st to get cycle in Game 162". MLB.com. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  28. ^ "Blackmon's season over with knee surgery upcoming". mlb.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  29. ^ "Rockies' Blackmon plans to exercise $18M player option for 2023". thescore.com. October 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  30. ^ "Rockies' Charlie Blackmon: Signs one-year extension". cbssports.com. September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  31. ^ Harding, Thomas (September 23, 2024). "Blackmon, a 4-time All-Star, to retire after 14 seasons -- all with Rockies". MLB.com. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  32. ^ "Rockies lifer Charlie Blackmon to retire at season's end". ESPN.com. September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  33. ^ "Rockies' Charlie Blackmon calls retiring 'right decision'". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  34. ^ "Grit and Gratitude Carry Baseball All-Star Charlie Blackmon". September 26, 2017.
  35. ^ "Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon credits road Bible studies in building team chemistry". May 22, 2018.
  36. ^ Andersen, Arran (March 15, 2016). "Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon can't say goodbye to his pride and joy". Denver 7. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  37. ^ "From home runs to honeymoons: Rockies' Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl are now married men". November 12, 2018.
  38. ^ "Rockies center fielder nabs $2.8M Belcaro house". July 10, 2018.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Charlie Blackmon.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by National League Player of the Month
May 2017
June 2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Hitting for the cycle
September 30, 2018 		Succeeded by
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