Charlie Blackmon may be getting up there in age, but the Rockies’ veteran outfielder still has a timeless baseball intangible to him that’s hard to describe.
On Friday, Blackmon’s 36th birthday, teammate and friend Ryan McMahon gave it a shot.
“He’s the same guy as he was when I met him — same feel, same approach, same level-headed mindset,” McMahon said. “It’s impressive to see a guy stay so consistent in baseball, in life, everything. And he’s (our rock) in the clubhouse… He’s good about going up to guys quietly or privately. He’s not a big rah-rah in front of the group kind of guy, but he’s definitely there for you if you need him.”
Blackmon is the Rockies’ second-oldest player, behind right-hander Daniel Bard, who turned 37 last week. The hardball obsessive’s first thought when he woke up on his special day Friday shouldn’t come as a surprise.
“I thought, ‘I don’t tend to play well on my birthday,’” Blackmon said.
Entering Friday’s game against Arizona at Coors Field, where Blackmon was slotted in the two-hole as the designated hitter, he is batting .176 (3-for-17) in seven career games on July 1. The Dallas native’s first career homer came on his birthday as a rookie in 2011, when he had a pinch-hit solo shot off Joakim Soria in a win over the Royals. But Blackmon hasn’t had a birthday dinger since, and only one other extra-base hit on the day.
Blackmon, who has a player option for 2023 that he is likely to activate, struck a reflective tone Friday. He is slashing .267/.319/.462 with 12 homers in 2022, and wouldn’t mind making it 13 homers in the series opener against the Diamondbacks. But he’s also at the age where he’s starting to acknowledge and enjoy the grander scope of his 12-year big-league career.
“It’s another year to be thankful to stay in the game and be around all those guys,” Blackmon said. ‘It’s a really cool thing to get to play Major League Baseball, so (my birthday) is a good time to sit back and appreciate another year.”
Blackmon celebrated with family and cake on the Rockies’ off-day on Thursday. He’ll do some more celebrating and relaxing during the all-star break with a fly fishing trip, though if he keeps playing well — Blackmon hit .308 with five home runs in June — he may need to revise those plans.
“I haven’t really thought about (the possibility of making the all-star team),” Blackmon said. “I have thought about fishing, though.”
On Deck
Diamondbacks LHP Dallas Keuchel (2-5, 7.93) at Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (3-7, 6.55)
6:10 p.m. Saturday, Coors Field
TV: ATTRM
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM
Gomber is back in the Rockies’ rotation after being sent to the bullpen in favor of right-hander Ryan Feltner. Gomber made two relief appearances in that time, getting tagged for runs in both outings, and will make his first start since June 15. After dominating at Coors Field in his debut season with Colorado in 2021, going 5-1 with a 2.09 ERA in nine starts, it’s been the opposite script in LoDo this year. In six starts, Gomber’s 1-4 with a 6.68 ERA. He’ll need to watch out for Ketel Marte, who has a double and a homer off the southpaw in three at-bats. Meanwhile, Arizona signed Keuchel earlier this month after he was released by the White Sox. Keuchel made his Diamondbacks debut last week, allowing four runs in four-plus innings against the Tigers. The longtime American League starter has seen very little of Rockies hitters, but Kris Bryant does have a homer off him.
Trending: Just like last year, C.J. Cron is playing out of his mind at Coors Field. Entering Friday, the first baseman is slashing .352/.400/.667 with nine doubles, one triple, 13 homers and 42 RBIs in 41 games in LoDo.
At issue: Colorado hasn’t had many comebacks this year. The Rockies are 3-32 when behind after seven innings, and an even more paltry 1-36 when behind after eight innings.
Pitching probables
Sunday: Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (4-2, 3.32) at Rockies RHP Chad Kuhl (5-5, 3.49), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Monday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (4-5, 4.31) at Dodgers LHP Julio Urias (6-6, 2.64), 7:10 p.m., ATTRM
Tuesday: Rockies RHP German Marquez (4-6, 5.89) at Dodgers RHP Mitch White (1-1, 3.93), 8:10 p.m., ATTRM
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