There is only one person in the vast and diverse baseball landscape arguably more compelling than Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon. That would be the (incredibly) young man now known as “Charlie Blackmon Kid.” His worldwide debut on film captured, in essence, and completeness, how most Rockies fans feel on the inside when Blackmon strides to the plate.
https://twitter.com/brandonguthrie/status/887056277142220800
The video made the rounds quickly and it wasn’t long before it ended up in front of the eyes of Blackmon himself.
“I was trying to figure out why he was so excited,” he recalls upon first seeing it. “But I knew it was just super genuine, his feelings, but it was kinda nice and made me realize that I’m lucky to do what I do. And you should try real hard to be a good role model. People watch baseball.”
In fact, the kid has become so well known that Blackmon was compelled to reach out to his family and make arrangements to meet the young man.
CHARLIE BLACKMON!!! HE'S (ACTUALLY) HERE!!!@Chuck_Nazty 😍 https://t.co/gKrUHJw3Z6
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 21, 2017
.@Chuck_Nazty making dreams come true. https://t.co/nybLecIQxC
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 21, 2017
“He was a little timid. I’m probably scarier than I look on TV,” said Blackmon of the somewhat awkward but still undeniably heart-warming meeting.
“He clammed up a little bit. I think he felt intimidated. But he came over to me right away which apparently he doesn’t do a lot. It was nice to meet him. He’s pretty famous now. He’s been on TV more than the Rockies have, I think. One day it will be really cool for him.”
This story almost makes so much sense that it’s a surprise nothing like this has happened before. Kids and Charlie Blackmon are a perfect fit.
“I really enjoy working with kids,” he says. “They love life, they have fun, I don’t have to be serious. It’s the complete opposite of how I try to play baseball so it’s a good yin to my yang.”
“There’s a lot of funny questions. You never know what they’re gonna say. A lot of ‘hey, hit a homer!'”
But it works.
“I guess I’m on like a third-grade personality level,” he joked.
The Colorado center fielder has put together a phenomenal 2017 campaign that might rightfully see him challenge teammate Nolan Arenado for some MVP votes at season’s end.
He leads MLB in hits at 129 and runs at 82. He is, by far, the leader in triples with 12, twice as many as the players tied for second place. He has set the tone for a Rockies club that sits a 56-41 and has been in the postseason picture all year long.
