Rockies' retiring Charlie Blackmon takes curtain call in last game - ESPN

DENVER — Charlie Blackmon trotted out to center field all alone and stood above the giant No. 19 that was etched into the grass at Coors Field.

The longtime Colorado Rockies outfielder known for his bushy beard tipped his cap to the cheering fans one last time as a player on Sunday before a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It was Charlie Blackmon Day at the ballpark as the four-time All-Star waved goodbye to the game after 14 seasons with the Rockies, the only team he has ever known. Blackmon was back in a familiar spot on the lineup card, too — starting in center field and batting leadoff. This was the first time he's been in center in six years.

«Literally, the best teammate I've ever had,» third baseman Ryan McMahon said. «He's the most unselfish person I've been around. The total pro's pro.»

A second-round draft pick of the Rockies in 2008, Blackmon blossomed into one of just 50 players in major league history to amass more than 1,800 hits, 325 doubles, 225 home runs, 65 triples and 800 RBIs. He was the NL batting champion in 2017 when he hit .331. He leaves as the franchise's all-time leader in triples and second behind Hall of Famer Todd Helton in games played, runs scored, doubles and total bases.

Blackmon long has been a fan favorite — along with his catchy walk-up song, «Your Love,» by The Outfield, which never failed to get the crowd singing along. Not only that, but his determined play earned respect from dugout to dugout.

«For me, he's everything I would want in a baseball player — outside of that big, old, ugly beard,» Dodgers manager Dave Roberts cracked. «You look at the last, call it 10 to 12 years, he's one of probably my top five players I've enjoyed watching play.»

This sunny afternoon was all