When Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon announced his retirement on Monday, one of the first questions many asked was about the fate of his iconic beard.
After all, Blackmon has hinted in past interviews that when he was no longer calling Coors Field that it might be time for a shave.
On Tuesday, at his press conference discussing his retirement and the thought process that went into it, Blackmon hinted that the beard might be safe … for now.
“My wife has actually never seen me without it,” Blackmon said about his beard, which became a part of his aura in 2014, the same year he made his first All-Star Game. “So I’m a little bit concerned how that would be received at home.
“I’m not going to put any dates on it for you, but I think there will be a time where I will have to reveal my naked face to my family. Clean it up, get a nice haircut or whatever, just to say that I’ve done it. But then after that, I think all bets are off.”
After being drafted by Colorado in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft, Blackmon will spend the final six games of his 14-year MLB career (spent entirely with the Rockies) playing in front of his home fans this week as the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers pay a visit to the Mile High City.
The 38-year-old Blackmon is Colorado’s all-time leader in triples (67) and ranks second, behind Hall of Famer Todd Helton, in games played (1,618), runs scored (991), hits (1,797), doubles (333), extra-base hits (626) and total bases (2,942).
Blackmon will end his career as a four-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and winner of the National League batting title in 2017, a season where he led the Rockies to the postseason by slashing .331/.399/.601 and logged an MLB-high 387 total bases.
