Ryan Spilborghs is returning to the Rockies. Not as a player but as a TV broadcaster.

A fan favorite and key member of the 2007 World Series team, Spilborghs will join Root Sports as part of the Rockies’ pregame and postgame shows.

“It was an obvious next step in my career,” Spilborghs wrote, in part, on a blog for denverpost.com explaining his decision to retire. “It’s funny when you do things … you get presented with more opportunities, and it feels right pursuing them.”

Root Sports is expected to announce its full baseball talent lineup at a later date.

The decision wasn’t easy for Spilborghs. He considered resuming his career with the Rockies on a minor-league contract, but he couldn’t pass up this opportunity. He played last year for Japan’s Seibu Lions, chronicling his experience for The Denver Post in a series of popular blogs.

Spilborghs, 34, has a variety of media experience, including appearing in car commercials and hosting “Spillin’ The Beans,” a comedy short for the Rockies’ website.

Spilborghs played seven seasons with the Rockies, last in 2011, hitting .272 with a .345 on-base percentage, 42 home runs and 218 RBIs.

“We are very pleased to announce the addition of ‘Spilly’ to our Root Sports telecasts,” said Root Sports general manager David Woodman. “His background as a player, as well as his charismatic personality, add a new energy and insider focus to our Colorado Rockies broadcasts.”

Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck