Rockies star Charlie Blackmon to retire at season’s finish: ‘I’ve been saved by grace’
By Kevin Mercer Sep 24, 2024
Colorado Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Picture/Duane Burleson)
When the 2025 MLB season begins, the Colorado Rockies could have a gaping gap within the outfield. They’ll be with out one of the best players in franchise history and a person who turned a fixture within the Rockies lineup for the final 14 seasons.
Outfielder and designated hitter Charlie Blackmon announced via Instagram on Monday that he’ll retire when the 2024 season involves an in depth in opposition to the Los Angeles Dodgers this Sunday.
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“I’ve been blessed to name the town of Denver and the Colorado Rockies my baseball residence for the whole lot of my profession,” Blackmon wrote in his submit. “… At this time I’m a ballplayer wanting over the fence into uncertainty. For what’s behind me, I’m grateful. My cup runs over. I’ve been blessed greater than any man ought to count on.”
He then thanked his household and his spouse, Ashley. Blackmon continued later: “I’ve been saved by grace and divine intervention has tilted the scales in my path.”
The 38-year-old lefty recognized across the majors for his lengthy, shaggy beard spent his entire 14-year career with the Rockies, hitting 226 homers and batting in 797 runs with .292 common. Colorado drafted Blackmon within the second spherical of the 2008 draft out of Georgia Tech, and he made his MLB debut in June 2011. Within the years since, he’s develop into the franchise’s all-time leader in triples (67), received a Nationwide League batting title (2017), was a two-time Silver Slugger (2016-17), and earned 4 All-Star picks (2014, 2017-19).
Along with his exploits on the baseball diamond all through his profession, Blackmon has also spoken about his faith.
“Baseball is one thing that I spend quite a lot of time doing however you may’t flip baseball into an idol, what you derive your self-worth from,” Blackmon told the Christian Broadcasting Network in 2017. “It needs to be one thing you do, not who you might be. And as soon as I figured all these issues out, truthfully baseball appeared rather a lot smaller to me, with the ups and downs and the struggles of failure which are going to occur, inevitably, throughout the recreation of baseball.
“… [God’s] grace is one thing that I attempt to perceive, however it’s exhausting to understand. I try to be taught extra about Him on daily basis. And I simply wish to signify our God in what I do on the sphere, how I deal with individuals and what I’m considering on a regular basis additionally. I believe that’s crucial.”
Blackmon told Sports Spectrum in 2018 that “the baseball tradition hasn’t made Jesus very cool,” however he had discovered deep Christian neighborhood and discipleship with the Rockies.
“Should you really imagine Jesus is who He says He’s and that He died for our sins, then you may’t simply ignore that truth and go on doing no matter you are feeling such as you’re doing. Authenticity goes to indicate up. Individuals are going to seek out you out when you’re simply speaking the discuss and never strolling the stroll,” he informed CBN.
Blackmon sought to “stroll the stroll” of religion within the public eye for 14 years, and now as he hangs up his glove for good, he can rejoice that the love of Christ for him won’t ever fade.
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