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Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon reveals his baseball nightmare

By Kevin Henry

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 30: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies looks on from the dug out during game two of a doubleheader baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Nationals won 3-1. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 30: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies looks on from the dug out during game two of a doubleheader baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Nationals won 3-1. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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SCOTTSDALE — In an exclusive chat with me on Monday morning at the Colorado Rockies spring training facility, All-Star Charlie Blackmon admitted that he does have a nightmare when it comes to baseball. No, it probably is not one you would guess … and it might even be similar to one you have had in the past.

Blackmon has been a nightmare for Rockies opponents for years now. Last season, he put together a historic campaign from the leadoff position, posting a career-high 37 home runs and 104 RBI while posting a slash line of .331/.399/.601 and an OPS of 1.000.

His season placed him fifth in last year’s MVP voting, one spot behind teammate Nolan Arenado. This spring, Colorado manager Bud Black has experimented with a lineup that has Blackmon hitting third, one spot ahead of Arenado.

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So what is Blackmon’s nightmare? It has nothing to do with batting or fielding, the All-Star center fielder said.

"“You might think it’s striking out with the bases loaded,” Blackmon smiled. “Honestly, I’m supposed to be on deck and I can’t find my equipment. And then the guy who is hitting makes an out on the first pitch and I can’t find my bat and my batting gloves and my shin guard and my helmet. Everyone is waiting for me to get in the box. Just being unprepared, it’s like the ‘missing your college final exam.’ It’s the baseball version of that.”"

While Blackmon said it may be a nightmare, it’s also not one that haunts him every night. It certainly hasn’t become more prominent since all of this talk about him moving down in the lineup has taken center stage this spring, he said.

"“It’s funny. I think about baseball a lot but rarely dream it,” Blackmon said."

Next: Mark Reynolds never received an offer this offseason from Colorado?

If you have watched any Rockies games and Blackmon’s pre-hitting ritual, you know he is always out early to gauge the pitcher and take a few swings. He is always prepared so the nightmare hasn’t happened … yet.

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