ATLANTA -- Charlie Blackmon endured 100-plus-loss seasons in the last two of his 14 seasons as a Rockies player. Now, in his first year of retirement as a player -- while serving as a special assistant to Colorado general manager Bill Schmidt -- he has remained on the long route back with the team.
Blackmon has been in uniform with the club on a couple of occasions, once in Denver and during this weekend’s series in Atlanta. He also hopes to visit the club again in Denver, meet with club officials around the MLB Draft (July 13-14 in Atlanta) and visit a Minor League stop.
He is trying to figure out a future role. He still feels best around players, but his focus is different.
“I'm getting used to making it about someone else, right?” Blackmon said before Saturday afternoon’s game against the Braves. “The greatest thing I can hear right now is, ‘Wow, that really helped me.’ I'm still very player-centric, player focused. I care about the guys individually, and I want to help them individually.
“I certainly want the organization to do well as a whole, but it’s important to understand that it's not easy to play this game. One thing that I can do well is relate to the guys like I've been through it.”
The pain the team is going through as it threatens Modern Era and all-time futility records is not lost on Blackmon.
“One of the greatest lessons is a humbling lesson, one where you don't take things for granted, where you don't just assume you're going to win a game,” Blackmon said. “You have to go out there and you have to do it. Sometimes, having tough experiences makes you a stronger person and sets you up better for success in the future.
“Having that outlook also is important, but nobody likes to lose, and you don’t want to be near the bottom of the standings. I want our guys to be successful, and I want to have good players. Guys aren’t here without being the most competitive person, so failure is never easy for that type of personality.”
Blackmon’s meticulous preparation and personality throughout his career will make him a voice when the Rockies address how to improve.
“I've got ideas,” he said. “I've seen a lot of players play well. I've seen a lot of players, you know, come up and not play so well. And I think I have some ideas on what it takes to play well and where we can make some adjustments. That’s just my perspective.
“It’s going to take a collection of guys coming together, all putting their input forward and figuring out the best way to get better.”
While the Rockies must increase their talent level, Blackmon believes it’s important for those currently playing to maintain a thirst for learning through such a difficult time. He gives a roster built mainly with younger players points for that.
It’s a start.
“It's really valuable when you see how people react and what they do and things aren't going well,” he said. “When you’re winning, it's easier to get a hit when everybody around you is getting hits, or it's easier to throw an inning when everybody around you is getting outs.
“When it isn't necessarily going your way, sometimes it helps you learn more about yourself or learn more about the group. And I do feel like, especially as of late, guys continue to feel like they're getting better. Guys are continuing to be good teammates. Guys are continuing to be worked towards, and continue to be, competitive.”