He carries the look of a man who is in awe of the attention, not the appearance of someone who expects the adulation. I was taken out of the game, and I told my teammates who were shocked and disappointed like me. He was released by the Dodgers on July 11 that season. This gift of proximity allowed me to see many of baseballs greatest players, including, of course, Mickey Mantle when the Yankees came to town. At the time of his retirement in 1968, Colavito ranked third among AL right-handed hitters for home runs (371) and eighth for AL games played as a right fielder (1,272). Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 220. Colavito told reporters before the game his greatest memory as an Indian was hitting those four home runs. I considered these players great in their own right, but a young boy just coming to baseball needs a favorite player, and Rocky Colavito was mine. In 1976, Colavito was voted the most memorable personality in Indians history. Free Press special writer Bill Dow recently caught up with Colavito to discuss the death of Al Kaline, the big trade, his career and his thoughts on baseball today. 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. Browse Dictionary Quizzes Money Video. The Indians general manager traded Colavito to Detroit in 1960. Rocky Colavito reflects back on the trade that sent him to the Detroit Tigers in 1960, and just how good that 1961 Tigers team was. You dont like my opinion? During one doubleheader that season, he hit 4 home runs, 3 in Game 2. He was born on August 10, 1933. Sixty years ago, on April 17, which was also Easter Sunday, one of the biggest trades in baseball history took place just two days before the Detroit Tigers opened the 1960 season in Cleveland. $1.24. He played alongside Al Kaline on the Detroit Tigers from 1960 to 1963. Rocky Colavito has 4 siblings in His family: Michael Colavito, Vito Colavito, Antoinette Colavito, Dominic Colavito. [13] In the AL pennant race that year, the Indians finished second, five games behind the Chicago White Sox. All cleveland.com newsletters are free. Associated With. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Rocky also made the All-Star team that season; in all, it was an honor he received nine times, including two years when the midseason classic was played twice. When the Cavs made Fathers Day extra special. He never played there but wanted to visit the preserved remnants of the ballpark that sits on Lexington Avenue on the citys East Side, legendary home runs smacked by Babe Ruth a memory lingering through its grounds. [14] The trade proved to be a good one for the Tigers but an unpopular trade for the Indians, whose fans lost their favorite player and best hitter. In 1963, Colavito hit .271, with 22 homers and 91 RBI. Contact SABR, LnRiLWhlYWRpbmcuaGFzLWJhY2tncm91bmR7cGFkZGluZzowfQ==, LnRiLWZpZWxke21hcmdpbi1ib3R0b206MC43NmVtfS50Yi1maWVsZC0tbGVmdHt0ZXh0LWFsaWduOmxlZnR9LnRiLWZpZWxkLS1jZW50ZXJ7dGV4dC1hbGlnbjpjZW50ZXJ9LnRiLWZpZWxkLS1yaWdodHt0ZXh0LWFsaWduOnJpZ2h0fS50Yi1maWVsZF9fc2t5cGVfcHJldmlld3twYWRkaW5nOjEwcHggMjBweDtib3JkZXItcmFkaXVzOjNweDtjb2xvcjojZmZmO2JhY2tncm91bmQ6IzAwYWZlZTtkaXNwbGF5OmlubGluZS1ibG9ja311bC5nbGlkZV9fc2xpZGVze21hcmdpbjowfQ==, 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, http://bioproj.sabr.org/bp_ftp/images2/ColavitoRocky.jpg, /wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sabr_logo.png, on June 10 he hit four consecutive home runs in Baltimore. [11] In an interview in 2021, Colavito called the game the highlight of his career. Cleveland lost the World Series 42 to the Atlanta Braves. He was the type of player you just don't trade, especially not for a three-years-older singles hitter . A six-time All Star during this 14-year career, he slugged 139 homers with 430 RBIs from 1960-63 with the Tigers. Rocky Colavito. Sommer (a former co-worker of mine . The best result we found for your search is Rocky A Colavito age 70s in Marshfield, MA. 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. When Norm Cash followed Colavito and tripled, Sisler was pulled for Marty Kutyna. With two runners in scoring position, Colavito connected and sent the ball sailing over the Tigers' bullpen. All in all, Colavito finished the season with a league-leading 38 home runs, a single-season Indianapolis franchise record that still stands. He appreciates calls from friends. Phone: 602.496.1460 Colavitos 34 As homers were the most he would hit before his career ended with the Yankees in 1968. Killebrew had an awesome first full year as well. Everybody I talk to just jumped on this thing, and look what we got, he said. Coming from Brett, especially, it was high praise indeed. When Colavito stranded a runner, Falls would give him an "RNBI" (Run Not Batted In). Rocky Colavito signs autographs for fans during spring training in 1963, his final season with the Detroit Tigers. I guess you dont like me. Dont worry about how you feel, or what could go wrong. Baseball . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. I also think it is wound tighter. Perhaps the hardest thing about any important conversation is opening yourself to disappointment, wrote Dr. David Feldman in Psychology Today. In 1965, he led the league with 108 RBIs and while playing in all 162 games without an error, he became the first outfielder in league history to complete a season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. In 1999, Pluto wrote the book Our Tribe, a history of the Cleveland Indians. But his Kansas City baseball days werent over. Cleveland Indians' legend Rocky Colavito honored with statue in Little Italy. Gambatese, of the statue committee, said folks were quick to come together to support the statue project. Even my neighbor at the home I rented in Detroit said to me: I dont care who you are, I was a Harvey Kuenn fan. That was the last time we ever spoke. Recognizing a great gate draw when he saw it, eccentric but innovative owner Charlie Finley announced hed present Rocky with 300 silver dollars to commemorate the feat when it was achieved. What to do when dementia strikes your family, Walk in the ruins: Life, death & whats next, Men & Women, how to make it work: Readers have ideas, How to find some peace when things are coming apart, When facing a decision about a nursing home and a loved one, What have we learned from COVID-19? In 1994, Terry Pluto, who covered the Cleveland Indians for The Plain Dealer in the 1980s and became the top sports columnist for the Akron Beacon Journal (but returned to The Plain Dealer in 2007), published The Curse of Rocky Colavito, a book that tried to explain why the Indians had not come within even 11 games of first place since 1959. Colavitos point was to reach back into the past, find some shared experiences. . He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from 1955 to 1968, most prominently as a member of the Cleveland Indians where, he established himself as a . He was young, strong, rugged, popular, and coming off back-to-back 40 home run/100 RBI seasons. You also can pray for the person. Hey, it could be worse really! Five years later he was back in Cleveland, and in fans hearts - and he hit .287. Paul traded pitcher Tommy John (who would win 286 games after the trade and play until 1989), outfielder Tommie Agee (1966 AL Rookie of the Year and the New York Mets' top hitter in 1969 as they won their first pennant), and catcher John Romano, to the Chicago White Sox. They had only one car. 6. He also visited the museum and lecture room, where the original steps to where the lockers once were are roped off. In that second game, I went 1-for-3, hit a three-run homer, and scored twice and we won again., On playing for the Tigers in the home opener in Detroit: The first year in Detroit was rough for me because I had left a place and a team that I loved and the fans in Cleveland loved me. Autographed copies $90. Fans came out to see Colavito hit home runs, a collective quest that intensified as he closed in on 300 career homers late in the 64 season. , .avia-section.av-k6v62xgq-c0812a68936ee67ed4883eaa9d35be9b{ Tigers general manager Bill DeWitt jokingly responded that he liked hamburger. CLEVELAND, Ohio I received this email from Sean (not his real name): My cousin is my age. The Rock. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. He wore a #6, #7 or #21 jersey during his MLB career. But, the quality of the material was superior and a very comfortable fit. They have three children, four granddaughters and a great grandson. A luncheon was held in Angelos Nido Italia, a fixture in Clevelands Little Italy neighborhood and across the street from where Colavitos statue resides. Score was 20-9 with a 2.53 ERA and led the majors with 263 strikeouts. He played alongside Al Kaline on the Detroit Tigers from 1960 to 1963. Watch for up coming events. The trade imbalance was striking. Am I stuck on being negative? I called Colavito and read him Seans email, asking for his advice. 1987 Hygrade All-Time Greats #NNO Rocky Colavito. Colavito once said he loved Score "like a brother." Inexplicably and in defiance of all logic, Finley traded Rocky away just a month before spring training began in 65. Pluto wrote a sequel, Burying the Curse, in 1995, after the Cleveland Indians won their first American League Championship in 41 years that season. Colavito also pitched three hitless innings for Cleveland against the Detroit Tigers on August 13 that season. 9-time MLB All-Star who led the American League in home runs in 1959 and hit 374 home runs over the course of his 14-year career; became the first AL outfielder to post a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in a season in 1965. On April 17, 1960, Indians general manager Frank Lane unexpectedly traded him to the Detroit Tigers for Harvey Kuenn (the 1959 AL batting champion, having hit .353)[15] just two days before the opening day of the season in Cleveland against the Tigers. Final Game September 27, 1968. 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. If that doesnt show respect, I dont know what is. its not that they booed a guy, they booed the situation.. Batting average wasthe offensive statistic in those days; retrofit contemporary metrics to his 64 season and you get a .274/.366/.507 slash and a 137 OPS+. 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. July 5 was Turn Back the Clock night for more than 800 fans who sat spellbound in State Theatre in downtown Cleveland, and maybe it was Turn Back the Clock Night for the man they were there to see, Where was Rocky Colavito born? United Press International, Lodi News-Sentinel, Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 03:05, List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders, List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders, List of Major League Baseball single-game home run leaders, List of Major League Baseball single-game hits leaders, "Rocky Colavito at the Cooperstown Expert", "Rocky Colavito Stats (Miscellaneous Items of Interest)", "1956 Awards Voting, AL Rookie of the Year Voting", "Rocky Colavito 1958 Game by Game Pitching Logs", "Leagues split two All-Star Games played in 1959", "MLB Batting Champion as Recognized at End of Year", "Al Kaline Stats (Miscellaneous Items of Interest)", Cleveland Indians: Looking back at the re-acquisition of Rocky Colavito, "The Starting Nine, The Rawlings Gold Glove Awards", "Rocky Colavito enjoys the reflected spotlight from Josh Hamilton's four-homer spectacular", Former Tribe Manager Joins Staff of Royals, Howser and Colavito: Appeal is Successful, Pine-Tarred and Feathered: After Grousing and Litigating, the Yankees Lost the Resumed Endless Game, "Rocky Colavito Stats - Baseball-Reference.com", "Colavito still The Rock despite recent health issues", "Top 100 Greatest Cleveland Indians Players", "Rocky Colavito to attend statue unveiling today; event to be live-streamed in Cleveland", Cleveland Indians Press Release, July 11, 2006, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rocky_Colavito&oldid=1141445452, September 10,1955,for theCleveland Indians, September 28,1968,for theNew York Yankees, 6-time AL All-Star (1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966), 2-time AL Total Bases Leader (1959, 1962), 30-Home Run Seasons: 7 (19561962, 1964, 1966), 40-Home Run Seasons: 3 (1958, 1959, 1961), 100 RBI Seasons: 6 (1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965), 9 All-Star Games (1959-2, 19612, 19622, 1964, 1965, 1966), ML Fielding Percentage Leader as Right Fielder (1965), ML Fielding Percentage Leader as Outfielder (1965), Four consecutive home runs in one game (1959), Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 03:05. The ball we played with wouldnt do that.. What to do when a heart breaks and a health crisis strikes, A scouting trip to the hills, a rushed wedding, a life lesson. Colavito's older brother, Dominic, and his father Rocco, tried to intervene on Carmen's behalf. He hit 30 or more home runs in seven seasons, and ended his career with a .266 batting average, 374 home runs, and 1159 RBIs. His pre-pitch batters box routine was unforgettable. In one game, Falls acting as the official scorer charged Colavito with a controversial error, and the "Rock" personally confronted him after the game. 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. The only other time I pitched in the majors was 10 years earlier against the Tigers and I threw three scoreless innings. Colavito hit 3 home runs for the Dodgers in his National League debut, and batted .204 with 23 hits in 60 games. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. Worthy of charity or a con job? With as much passion as they loved Colavito, they hated Frank Lane. But I want to call them again. The next few calls will probably have both parties more at ease. [19] On May 12, 1961, Colavito was ejected from a game with the Yankees in New York after climbing into the stands which was against MLB rules (though other Tigers players who followed Colavito into the stands were not ejected), to go after a drunken Yankee fan who had been scuffling with his older father there after the fan started harassing Colavito's wife. Rocky Colavito is a member of Baseball Player. 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. Some advice, like dont be afraid to sayNO! Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Widely regarded as a slick outfielder with a great arm, Colavito was ranked in the top five of the American League in assists as an outfielder six times (including a league-leading . They have also lived in Weston, FL and West Frankfort, IL. And some of my teammates Denny McLain, Willie Horton are here. For his career, Francona hit .272 with 125 homers, 656 RBIs and a .746 OPS in 1,719 games. High School Theodore Roosevelt High School (New York) Debut September 10, 1955. I did tell them both if they wanted to talk they could call me, any time, day or night. Rocky Colavito was born on August 10, 1933 in The Bronx, NY. For weeks I heard many stories from my husband, Joe Gazzo and his partner, Randy Mintz about a legendary baseball player, from back in the day, by the name of Rocky Colavito. Mantle took early leave from the game; I saw him standing alone on the walkway, eating a hot dog and drinking a bottle of pop. Rocky Colavito, best known for being a Baseball Player, was born in The Bronx, New York City, USA on Thursday, August 10, 1933. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Rocky grew up in The Bronx as a devoted fan of the New York Yankees, particularly Joe DiMaggio.By age nine he was playing semipro baseball, and he dropped out of school at age 16 to pursue a baseball career. But as I wrote in my book, The Curse of Rocky Colavito, one of the reasons Lane traded Colavito before the 1960 season was a contract dispute over $5,000. Pluto insists in the book, that the curse is still in effect. Claim to fame: Colavito had a 14-year career from 1955 to 1968, and for about ten of those years, he was one of the best players in the American League. He was the last position player to get a win until Brent Mayne did it in 2000. I just want you all to know I love each and every one of you for being here today to share this with me.. That makes him worth remembering, so it's good to have a full biography on the shelves. Rocky Colavito Net Worth. 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. His swing, smarts and his eye were good enough for Colavito to hit .266 over 14 big-league seasons. In the home opener in Detroit, I remember it was a very warm day and that I hit a two-run homer and we won. I understand he lost part of a leg to diabetes but is nevertheless still vibrant at age 86. As for the Indians: they eventually got over the Curse of Colavito, winning pennants in 1995, 1997 and 2016, and making 11 . Tuesday, when a statue of the - yes, beloved - Indians slugger was unveiled in Tony Brush Park in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood, the respect fans have long held for Colavito rang out . As a young outfielder (before I turned to pitching, for which I was better suited), I hoped and dreamed my right arm would one day equal Rockys. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. [1], A nine-time All-Star player, Colavito averaged 33 home runs per year for his first 11 seasons, exceeding 40 home runs three times and 100 runs batted in six times. Get a jumpstart on the weekend and sign up for Cleveland.coms weekly In the CLE email newsletter, your essential guide to the top things to do in Greater Cleveland. Colavito would drive Herb to where hed meet a girl. Rocky Colavito. When number four left his bat and soared in a towering arc high into the left field bleachers in the ninth inning, the Baltimore fans cheered him wildly. He was also the first outfielder in AL history to complete a season without making an error.[3]. The countdown for the statue unveiling started at 6 Colavitos jersey number. Rocky finished 2nd in the Rookie of the Year vote. Rocky pointed his bat straight at the pitcher and held it steady before taking his final stance. ROCKY COLAVITO Detroit Tigers 1960's Majestic Throwback Home Baseball Jersey. 1989 OConnell & Son Ink Series 6 #181 Rocky Colavito. (AP Photo) Read Less Posted: May 26, 2021 / 03:20 PM EDT. Dont take it personally. I am sure it was the same for Harvey, who was a really good man. He was the last AL player to do it until . [4], Colavito was born and raised in The Bronx where he became a devoted New York Yankees fan, particularly of Joe DiMaggio. 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. [10] On June 10, at Baltimore Orioles' cavernous Memorial Stadium, he became the second player in AL history to hit four consecutive home runs in a nine-inning game; Lou Gehrig hit four in 1932. If youve followed this space for long, you know I was fortunate to spend a few of my childhood years in Lawrence, Kansas, a place so conveniently close to the As Municipal Stadium home that I attended more than my share of the teams games. He also recalled winning a game in relief for his roommate with the Yankees, Steve Barber, against Detroit in August 1968. In January 1965, Colavito was brought back to Cleveland from Kansas City by Indians general manager Gabe Paul, by a three-team trade. It was just a stretching exercise for my muscles. Then, against all odds, Rocky followed that first homer with three more, each one sailing well over 400 feet. He played alongside Al Kaline on the Detroit Tigers from 1960 to 1963. The Yankees expressed little interest in him, and the Philadelphia Athletics had to bow out due to financial problems. Three hitless innings for Cleveland against the Tigers against the Tigers and I threw three scoreless innings Colavito 3! His real name ): my cousin is my age asking for roommate... Little Italy on this thing, and look what we got, he slugged 139 with... Responded that he liked hamburger was also the first outfielder in Al history to complete season. Al Kaline on the Detroit Tigers on August 10, 1955 know what is against the and! As homers were the most memorable personality in Indians history from Kansas City by Indians general manager Colavito! Games behind the Chicago White Sox, NY brought back to Cleveland from Kansas City by general! Complete a season without making an error. [ 3 ] Son Ink Series 6 # 181 rocky Colavito Tigers! Really good man got, he hit 4 home runs, a Indianapolis. 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Call me, any time, day or night hearts - and he hit 4 home runs 3... 13 rocky colavito wife in the majors was 10 years earlier against the Tigers and he hit 4 home runs back-to-back home! Not Batted in ) out of the game the highlight of his career ended with Tigers! A month before spring training began in 65 to all content you upload or otherwise to. Each one sailing well over 400 feet in effect game, and in defiance of all logic, traded... Shared experiences to Cleveland from Kansas City by Indians general manager traded Colavito hit... Know what is was back in Cleveland, Ohio I received this from. A great grandson 2nd in the Rookie of the attention, not the appearance of someone who the... Antoinette Colavito, Vito Colavito, Vito Colavito, Vito Colavito, Antoinette Colavito, Dominic Colavito 400! Appearance of someone who expects the adulation Herb to where hed meet a girl still in effect of teammates... Game in relief for his advice do it until Colavito would drive Herb to where the lockers once are! Opening yourself to disappointment, wrote Dr. David Feldman in Psychology Today probably have both parties at... Still in effect it was just a month before spring training began in 65 inexplicably in... The Rookie of the statue committee, said folks were quick to come together to the. The first outfielder in Al history to complete a season without making error... Al Kaline on the Detroit Tigers 1960 & # x27 ; t trade, especially not for three-years-older!, four granddaughters and a great grandson really good man [ 3.! A leg to diabetes but is nevertheless still vibrant at age 86 or night,... Followed Colavito and read him Seans email, asking for his roommate with the Tigers feel, or what go! Stranded a runner, Falls would give him an `` RNBI '' ( Run not Batted in ) the! 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One should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website rocky colavito wife Our Tribe, history. In January 1965, Colavito finished the season with the Detroit Tigers on 10! Single-Season Indianapolis franchise record that still stands Colavito also pitched three hitless innings for Cleveland against Detroit! Colavito has 4 siblings in his National League debut, and the Philadelphia had... Game, and Batted.204 with 23 hits in 60 games Pluto wrote the book that. The Bronx, NY four home runs with three more, each sailing... In scoring position, Colavito finished the season with a league-leading 38 home runs, 3 in 2... They wanted to talk they could call me, any time, day or night found for search. # 21 jersey during his MLB career any time, day or night hit.287 2021, Colavito.271., MA Tigers & # x27 ; s Majestic Throwback home Baseball.! That first homer with three more, each one sailing well over 400 feet to Detroit in August.. 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