hit a solo home run in the top of the 11th against the Detroit Tigers, which gave Cleveland a three-game lead over Detroit. As the Indians drove for a playoff spot, Blake hit a walk-off home run against the Kansas City Royals on September 14, 2007. Three days later (again facing the Tigers), Blake hit another walk-off home run, all but ending the Tigers' Central Division title hopes. Blake was twice named clutch player of the year in his time with the Indians. Los Angeles Dodgers On July 26, , Blake was traded from the Indians to the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor league players Carlos Santana and Jon Meloan. He went 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored in his debut with the Dodgers on July 26. He hit his first home run with the Dodgers on August 2, 2008. Blake hit .251 with 10 home runs in 58 games with the Dodgers in 2008 and on December 9, signed a three-year extension with the club for $17 million. In 2009, he hit .280 with 18 home runs for the Dodgers and his fielding percentage was the best all-time for a Dodger third baseman. In 2010, he hit .248, his lowest average since 2005, with 17 home runs and 64 RBI. Due to various injuries, Blake was only able to appear in 63 games for the Dodgers in 2011, hitting .252 with only 4 home runs, his lowest total since 2002. On September 1, he decided to undergo season-ending surgery on his neck to relieve the pain from a pinched nerve that had bothered him all season. On October 4, 2011, the Dodgers declined Blake's 2012 option, instead paying him a buyout of $1.25 million and making him a free agent. Colorado Rockies On December 20, 2011, Blake signed with the Colorado Rockies. However, he was released before the end of Spring Training on March 27, 2012. Blake announced his retirement on May 8, 2012. Personal life Blake splits time between Indianola, Iowa and Los Angeles, California with his wife, four daughters and a son. When asked about his beard, he answers that he grows it simply because he does not like to shave. The beard also helps camouflage him while participating in one of his favorite hobbies, duck hunting. Blake and his wife began a foundation which donated well over $1,000,000 to the Indianola school