Outfielder Charlie Blackmon of the Colorado Rockies has decided to retire after dedicating all 14 years of his major league career to the team.

On Tuesday, Blackmon shared his retirement announcement on social media. He expressed that he continues to enjoy playing baseball like a child but no longer feels that way, noting a shift in his outlook.

“I feel fortunate to have spent my entire career in the city of Denver and with the Colorado Rockies,” he said in a statement. “I appreciate the support from this organization, my teammates, and especially the Rockies fans. As I look back with gratitude and countless memories, I am ready to embark on a new journey.”

Selected in the second round of the 2008 MLB draft from Dallas, Blackmon made his debut in Major League Baseball in 2011. From 2014 onwards, he became a prominent figure in the Rockies franchise. With his iconic bushy beard and his popular walk-up tune, “Your Love” by The Outfield, he established himself as a key hitter for the team.

In 2017, Blackmon captured the National League batting title, posting an impressive .331 average along with a career-high 37 home runs and 104 RBIs. That same year, he was ranked fifth in MVP voting and led the league in hits, runs, and triples while guiding the Rockies to their first postseason appearance in eight years. The next season, he helped the team achieve its first playoff series victory since 2007.

Over his career, Blackmon earned four All-Star selections and two Silver Slugger awards. As he approaches his final games of the 2024 season, he boasts a batting average of .292, 226 home runs, and 797 RBIs. He holds the Rockies’ record for triples with 67, while ranking second in team history for hits (1,797), total bases (2,942), doubles (333), and games played (1,618), trailing only Hall of Famer Todd Helton.

At 38 years of age, Blackmon has six games remaining in his career, all set to take place at Coors Field. The Rockies will compete against the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-game series before concluding the regular season with a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Currently, the Rockies sit at the bottom of the NL West with a record of 60-96 and are out of playoff contention.

The organization intends to celebrate Blackmon’s illustrious career during their final series of the regular season, including a pregame ceremony before the last match on Sunday.

“When Charlie revealed to me his decision to retire, I felt a wave of emotion, similar to what many fans will experience upon hearing that one of the greatest Rockies players will no longer play,” said Dick Monfort, the Rockies’ owner and CEO. “Watching Charlie’s career evolve here at Coors Field has been a true honor. His love and commitment to baseball, this organization, and our wonderful fans shone through daily, and I am incredibly grateful for everything he brought to the game during his 14 years with us. Charlie embodies the spirit of the Rockies, and even though his playing career is ending, he will remain an integral part of the team in many ways moving forward.”