Subscribe. Rocky Colavito, slugger supreme in the Midwest in the late 1950s and early 1960s, was one of the great stars of the American League in a period that also included names like Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Al Kaline. He and his cousin have a long history, a good history. Posted by Victor on 15th Jun 2017 Former Indians great Rocky Colavito, one of the top sluggers of the 1950s and '60s, might rank among the most popular aging Hall of Fame candidates online. Cleveland Indians' legend Rocky Colavito was honored with a statue at honored with statue in Little Italys Tony Brush Park on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, which also happened to be the slugger's 88th birthday. 1961 was a fantastic year and it was a great pennant race with the Yankees, who that year became one of the best teams in major league history. But while he lives only 10 minutes from the old ballpark where his career blossomed with the Reading Indians, he seldom goes. Colavito has been out of baseball for some time now; he lives in Pennsylvania with his wife of over 60 years. I called, and was able to talk to him. After Herb had his stroke, what did you talk to him about? I asked. On July 15, 1968, Colavito was signed as a free agent by the New York Yankees,[5] the last team and season of his 14-year MLB playing career. Rocco Domenico Colavito. Major League rules called for a player to wait until his school class graduated before signing, and only a special appeal allowed him to go pro after a one-year wait. Its unfair to compare eras because the ball is livelier and is traveling 30 or more feet farther. He was selected for both All-Star Games for the third time and homered in Game 2. Youve been traded to Detroit for Harvey Kuenn. He said good luck and I said same to you and thats all I ever said to him. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. (The Rock) Bats Right, Throws Right. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. I understand he lost part of a leg to diabetes but is nevertheless still vibrant at age 86. Why not tell someone what youd say at their funeral while they are still alive? I called Colavito and read him Seans email, asking for his advice. That makes him worth remembering, so it's good to have a full biography on the shelves. He is the author of more than 30 books, including The Curse of Rocky Colavito (selected by the New York Times as one of the five notable sports books of 1989), and Loose Balls, which was ranked number 13 on Sports Illustrated's list of the top 100 sports books of all time. Lopez installed Colavito in right field, and he was in Cleveland to stay, finishing the 1956 season with 21 homers and 65 RBI in 101 games. But it was Colavito, the reigning American League home run champion in 1959 with the matinee-idol good looks and a rocket for a throwing arm, who commanded a following unmatched in . Killebrew had an awesome first full year as well. Hes filled with too much humility and gratitude. You can pray for the health professionals taking care of themfor the persons family..for the persons strength. Syracusefans.com Runs and Bases: The 1950s (Part 2). Colavito had 12 homers and 32 RBI in thirty-five games with a .368 average at San Diego. Rocky Colavito was born on the 10th of August, 1933. He was the last position player to get a win until Brent Mayne did it in 2000. He has never been forgotten. Colavito ranks 2nd when applied to the list of 2008 Hall candidates. Colavito has been married since 1954. Entertainment & Pop Culture . I was invited to tag along on an interesting journey to visit Rocky in Reading, PA. Rocky Colavito, 31st on major league baseball's home run list with 374, is retired and living in a hilltop home in Bernville, Pa., eight miles northwest of Reading, where he met his wife-to-be . He also was selected for the All-Star Game. [14] The Tigers played the game under protest, which they won 43. Rocky Colavito is 89 years old. Restaurants, music, movies, performing arts, family fun and more. And I am absolutely honored and overwhelmed by all of you guys, all of my family, all of friends that are here, that they came. background-image:unset; What fans got was a bronzed sculpture from David Deming, who has crafted likenesses of Larry Doby, Lou Boudreau and Jim Thome at Progressive Field. Phoenix, AZ 85004 Rocky Colavito addresses the crowd before the unveiling. "Just make the call," said Colavito. Then I thought of Rocky Colavito, the former Cleveland Indians star. How do we treat those who serve us during the pandemic? He was also the first outfielder in AL history to complete a season without making an error.[3]. Whats amazing is that Colavito last walked off a diamond as a player in 1968 53 years ago. In one game, Falls acting as the official scorer charged Colavito with a controversial error, and the "Rock" personally confronted him after the game. The cause of the fracas was a Yankees fan, who had imbibed a few beers too many, annoying Rocky's wife Carmen. December 1959. In January 1965, Colavito was brought back to Cleveland from Kansas City by Indians general manager Gabe Paul, by a three-team trade. You dont like my opinion? Inexplicably and in defiance of all logic, Finley traded Rocky away just a month before spring training began in 65. First Name Rocky #22. Both teams, and the fans in both cities, were shocked by the trade. Just hearing your voice will mean a lot., How do deal with regrets: Yes, we all have some. Readers send their thoughts about the Homeless Guy With the Sign. Rocky Colavito, outfielder for the Cleveland Indians, is pictured in April 1966. The only other time I pitched in the majors was 10 years earlier against the Tigers and I threw three scoreless innings. I hope today that your heart is filled with half the amount of joy that youve given us on the field, Gazzo said during the ceremony. They have three children, four granddaughters and a great grandson. Dont take it personally. His day job as senior vice president of public affairs with the Indians keeps him busy dealing with current players, but in his heart he remains a fan, and Colavito was - and is - a favorite. Cleveland Indians' legend Rocky Colavito honored with statue in Little Italy. I threw mainly fastballs but also a change-up and slider. Hey, it could be worse really! 1957: Rocky collected 25 HRS (6th in AL), 84 RBIs (10th in . He then played the second half of the 67 campaign with the White Sox and finished his career in 1968 with the Dodgers and Yankees. . In 1961, Colavito hit .290 with a career-high 45home runs, 140 RBI, and 129 runs scored. ROCKY COLAVITO - TRADING/SPORTS CARD SIGNED - HFSID 20737. A luncheon was held in Angelos Nido Italia, a fixture in Clevelands Little Italy neighborhood and across the street from where Colavitos statue resides. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. When was Rocky Colavito born? The deal, a complicated three-way transaction between the As, White Sox and Indians, returned Colavito to Cleveland, the city that rebelled when the Indians traded him to the Tigers years before. [13] In the AL pennant race that year, the Indians finished second, five games behind the Chicago White Sox. [14] The Indians finished in 5th place with a 8775 record. He dropped out of school at sixteen while trying to break into the majors. Photo shows Rocky Colavito at the bat rack. All rights reserved. Harmon Killebrew vs. The guy with the homeless sign. In 2001, Colavito received a huge ovation at the introduction of the Indians' All-Century team.[44]. In 2005 he was inducted into the Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame. Rocco Domenico "Rocky" Colavito Jr. (born August 10, 1933) is an American former professional baseball player, coach and television sports commentator. Pluto wrote a sequel, Burying the Curse, in 1995, after the Cleveland Indians won their first American League Championship in 41 years that season. It goes back to what Sean wrote. Check out our rocky colavito selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our charm necklaces shops. In honor of those home runs a Major League record held by multiple players four rose bushes have been planted at the park near the statue. Rocky Colavito has 4 siblings in His family: Michael Colavito, Vito Colavito, Antoinette Colavito, Dominic Colavito. In July, he returned to the Indians. It appears to have been a job for which he was well-suitedaccording to author Mark Sommer in his recent bookRocky Colavito: Clevelands Iconic Slugger,Royals George Brett, Hal McRae and John Wathan all praised his work. Colavito's older brother, Dominic, and his father Rocco, tried to intervene on Carmen's behalf. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We also had a very good pitching staff with Jim Bunning, Frank Lary, Don Mossi, Paul Foytack and Hank Aguirre., On his famous on deck stretching ritual and batters box mannerisms:I was not even aware of my habit of putting the bat with both hands over my head and behind my back. Colavito told reporters before the game his greatest memory as an Indian was hitting those four home runs. I guess you dont like me. I was taken out of the game, and I told my teammates who were shocked and disappointed like me. But talk to fans, and they dont recount the home runs as often as they do the stories of a player who spent time with fans, never shying from them, never big-timing them. [12] He was selected for both of the All-Star Games held for the first time that season and homered in Game 2 (two All-Star games were held annually in 1959 through 1962). He played with the Indians from 1956 to 1959, and again from 1965 to 1968. But I want to call them again. Feldman also mentioned making a list of a few topics to talk about before the call. To this day I dont understand it nor do the Cleveland fans who still send me letters about it. When Norm Cash followed Colavito and tripled, Sisler was pulled for Marty Kutyna. After leaving the Tigers:Colavito was dealt to Kansas City after the 1963 season with Bob Anderson for Jerry Lumpe, Dave Wickersham, and Ed Rakow. Colavitos bat stood out as much, if not more, than his arm. He was released by the Dodgers on July 11 that season. 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