DENVER — One of the most iconic images in Colorado Rockies history is Nolan Arenado’s euphoric scream as blood leaks from his brow after hitting a walk-off home run to complete his cycle in a Father’s Day victory. The moment doesn’t happen without Charlie Blackmon, who got on base ahead of Arenado and whose batting helmet cut his teammate during the celebration. “He’s the one who made that picture cool,” Arenado said, smiling.
A few hours earlier, at Coors Field, Arenado attended the news conference Tuesday when Blackmon, the Rockies’ longtime leadoff hitter, announced his retirement after 14 seasons, four All-Star games and two Silver Slugger awards — all of them with the Rockies. Now the Cardinals’ third baseman, Arenado grew close as a teammate and friend in Colorado’s lineup and over meals with the left-handed-hitting Blackmon, who he figures he drove him more often than almost anyone else. “For me, the best leadoff hitter I’ve ever gotten to play with,” said Arenado, who had 760 RBIs with the Rockies.
Blackmon was 142 of them. “Nowadays the game is so different. If a lefty is starting, you rarely see a lefty lead off the game.
Now, you’re going to put a righty there. You’re going to match up. Every team is doing it.
“On our team, Charlie was hitting leadoff every game. Could be (Clayton) Kershaw pitching. It didn’t matter who was throwing.
He’s going to hit leadoff for us. Charlie always set the tone. He did damage.
He was clutch.�.
