Charlie Blackmon and the Quietest Streak in MLB Right Now

It’s a simple question with not such a simple answer. Why aren’t more people around the country talking about Charlie Blackmon and the incredible streak he is putting together as the Colorado Rockies’ leadoff man?

In Monday’s road win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Blackmon went 1-for-4 and also walked, marking the 32nd consecutive game where the Rockies center fielder has reached base safely. It’s the longest active streak in Major League Baseball and the longest for the Rockies since Troy Tulowitzki reached base safely in 41 consecutive games in 2015.

Just think about some of these numbers that Blackmon has pieced together what is turning into a magical season for the sixth-year player…

During the streak, Blackmon is hitting .331 (43-for-130) with nine doubles, one triple, six home runs, and 23 RBI. He’s also hit safely in 13 of his past 15 games, batting .311 with four homers and 13 RBI.

Since being reinstated from the disabled list on April 29 after battling turf toe, Blackmon has hit .322 (47-for-146) with nine doubles, one triple, six homers, 15 walks and 24 RBI.

During the streak, Blackmon has also celebrated some big milestones. He hit his first MLB grand slam on May 31, the same night he had his third career two-homer night and career-high-tying five RBI in a 17-4 smashing of the Cincinnati Reds.

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The leadoff homer he hit earlier in that same game against the Reds? It was his 50th of his career and came in his 500th game played. Not too shabby for Chuck Nazty, who has a club-record seven homers to lead off a game.

Oh … and the 500th hit of his career also came during “the streak,” a solo homer on May 11 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Blackmon has been the consummate leadoff man during his time with the Rockies, and that has improved this season even when the team has battled through some tough stretches, especially recently. He may not be stealing as many bases this season with Colorado trailing in so many games to this point, but he’s often setting the table for Trevor Story, Nolan Arenado, and Carlos Gonzalez by simply getting on base. Simply put, he’s doing what a leadoff hitter is supposed to do.

The longest MLB hitting streak this season was 29 games by Boston’s Jackie Bradley Jr. As a note, the streak was snapped by the Colorado Rockies in an 8-2 win at Fenway Park. Think of all the publicity that streak and its subsequent end received versus Blackmon’s streak, which has been virtually non-existent outside of Denver.

Granted, Charlie Blackmon has a long ways to go before challenging the all-time consecutive on-base streak set by Ted Williams in 1949 at 84 games. However, Colorado’s bearded marvel certainly deserves a lot more airtime and recognition than he’s been getting.

Next: The Top 5 Catchers in Colorado History

Is an on-base streak to be revered as much as a hitting streak? If it’s being judged in terms of the amount of coverage received, the answer is seemingly no. However, in terms of helping your team score runs and win games, the answer is absolutely.

Keep plugging away, Chuck Nazty.