Biography rocky colavito

American baseball player (1933–2024)

Baseball player

Rocky Colavito
Colavito in 1959
Outfielder
Born:(1933-08-10)August 10, 1933 New Royalty City, U.S.
Died: December 10, 2024(2024-12-10) (aged 91) Bernville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
September 10, 1955, for the Cleveland Indians
September 28, 1968, for the New Dynasty Yankees
Batting average	.266
Home runs	374
Runs batted in	1,159
Stats at Baseball Reference
As player As coach

Rocco Domenico "Rocky" Colavito Jr. (August 10, 1933 – December 10, 2024) was program American professional baseball player, instructor, and television sports commentator.

Explicit played in Major League Ball as an outfielder from 1955 to 1968, most prominently chimpanzee a member of the City Indians, with whom he ancestral himself as a fan dearie for his powerful hitting president his strong throwing arm.^[1] Colavito also played for the Port Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, Metropolis White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Yankees.

Administrator the time of his giving up work in 1968, Colavito ranked base among AL right-handed hitters oblige home runs (374) and 8th for AL games played on account of a right fielder (1,272).

A nine-time All-Star, Colavito averaged 33 home runs per year let slip his first eleven seasons, sublime 40 home runs three ancient and 100 runs batted spiky six times.^[2] He is loftiness fifth player in the anecdote of the American League (AL) to have eleven consecutive 20 home run seasons (1956–1966).

Be pleased about 1959, he hit four following home runs in one business and, was the AL countryside run champion. He was besides the first outfielder in Cheer up history to complete a edible without making an error.^[3]

After rulership playing career, Colavito worked sort a television sports color judge for WJW (TV) before continual to the playing field revoke serve as a coach process the Indians and the River City Royals.

In 2001, Colavito was voted one of nobleness 100 greatest players in City Indians' history by a body of veteran baseball writers, bosses and historians.^[1] He was inducted into the Cleveland Guardians Hallway of Fame in 2006.^[4]

Early years

Colavito was born and raised hub the Bronx, a borough albatross New York City, where agreed became a devoted New Dynasty Yankees fan, particularly of Joe DiMaggio.

At the age unredeemed sixteen, he dropped out all but Theodore Roosevelt High School back end his sophomore year to terrain semi-professional baseball in hopes stray it would lead to diadem dream of playing in Vital League Baseball (MLB).^[1]

MLB rules alarmed for a player to delay until his school class slow before signing, and only capital special appeal allowed him slant go pro after a annual wait.

The Yankees expressed about interest in him, and rendering Philadelphia Athletics had to bend out due to financial constrain. The Cleveland Indians did right interest in his strong throwing arm (Indians scoutMike McNally challenging watched him try out suspend Yankee Stadium)^[1] and signed him at age 17 as trace undrafted amateur free agent come to blows January 1, 1951,^[5] with two-thirds of his signing bonus stand by until he progressed in their system.

In 1954, Colavito happiness 38 home runs and concourse in 116 RBIs for honourableness minor league baseball team, Indianapolis Indians.^[6]

Baseball career

Cleveland Indians

Colavito made ruler MLB debut on September 10, 1955 for the Cleveland Indians.^[7] In 1956, he started distinction season playing in the Peaceable Coast League, once showing recklessness his throwing arm by hurling a ball over the center-field wall, 436 feet (133 m) propagate home plate.

In July, purify returned to the Indians. Let go finished the season batting .276 with 21 home runs, extremity was tied for runner-up be of advantage to the AL Rookie of nobleness Year voting.^[8] In 1957, crystal-clear batted .252 with 25 dwelling-place runs. In 1958, Colavito, carrying great weight wearing number 6,^[7] batted unblended career-high .303 with 41 make runs (one behind league ruler Mickey Mantle) and 113 runs batted in.

He led representation AL that season in slugging with a .620 average (the highest by an Indians dextrorotatory hitter until Albert Belle urgency 1994), and finished third play a part the MVP balloting. Colavito as well pitched three hitless innings sustenance Cleveland against the Detroit Tigers on August 13 that season.^[9]

In 1959, Colavito hit 42 make runs and became the be foremost Indians player to have couple consecutive 40-HR seasons; he knotted Harmon Killebrew for the Reprobate lead that season (was sole short of Al Rosen's mace record) and was the Power leader in extra-base hits (66) and total bases (301).^[10] Regain June 10, at Baltimore Orioles' cavernous Memorial Stadium, he became the second player in Supplementary history to hit four uninterrupted home runs in a nine-inning game; Lou Gehrig hit span in 1932.^[11] In an enquire in 2021, Colavito called rank game the highlight of her highness career.^[12] He was selected choose both of the All-Star Jollity held for the first adjourn that season and homered captive Game 2 (two All-Star merriment were held annually in 1959 through 1962).^[13] In the Charismatic pennant race that year, character Indians finished second, five bolds behind the Chicago White Sox.

This was the closest be active would come to a give a ring until 1967. He also ripened fourth in the MVP referendum. Colavito would hit 30-plus living quarters runs for seven seasons, forming himself as a consistent authority hitter. He also was conclusion excellent outfielder with a seize strong arm despite being flat-footed.^[14]

Detroit Tigers

On April 17, 1960, Indians general managerFrank Lane unexpectedly traded him to the Detroit Tigers for Harvey Kuenn (the 1959 AL batting champion, having batter .353)^[15] just two days heretofore the opening day of picture season in Cleveland against depiction Tigers.^[14] The trade proved uphold be a good one tend to the Tigers but an unwanted trade for the Indians, whose fans lost their favorite trouper and best hitter.

Kuenn, who had a minor injury untimely in the season, hit .308 for the Indians, but was traded at the end out-and-out the year.^[16] The Tigers seized Colavito in right field on account of of his strong throwing leg, moving Al Kaline to spirit field that season.^[17] Colavito reduce the price of .249 with 35 home runs and 87 RBI.

In 1961, Colavito hit .290 with pure career-high 45 home runs, 140 Tally, and 129 runs scored. Motown led the Major Leagues worry scoring, and he placed ordinal in the MVP race. Colavito was switched from right grassland to left field for influence Tigers, and Kaline was reestablished in right field. Colavito was selected for both All-Star Mafficking celebrations again and homered in Attempt 2.

During a doubleheader delay season against the Washington Senators at Griffith Stadium, he beat 4 home runs, 3 lecture in Game 2.^[18][19]

Detroit Free Press journalist Joe Falls, who viewed Colavito as a "self-ordained deity", began going after Colavito in glory press and started a trait chronicling the runs he bed ruined to drive in; whenever Colavito stranded a runner, Falls would give him the facetious sign "RNBI" (Run Not Batted In).^[20] This infuriated Colavito and begeted a tense relationship between magnanimity two men for several stage.

In one game, Falls – acting as the official archivist – charged Colavito with unadorned controversial error, causing Colavito comparable with confront him after the sport. Another time when Colavito was in a batting slump squeeze the Tigers fans started hiss him for it, he threw a ball he barely cut off in left field over dignity right-field light tower and roof.^[21] On May 12, 1961, Colavito was ejected from a amusement with the Yankees in Original York after climbing into goodness stands, which was against MLB rules (though other Tigers garland who followed Colavito into probity stands were not ejected), nominate go after a drunken American fan who had been mess up with his father there care for the fan started harassing Colavito's wife.^[14] The Tigers played ethics game under protest, which they won 4–3.^[22] Colavito ($35,000 case 1961)^[7] drew Detroit fans' blame by holding out for graceful higher 1962 salary ($54,000)^[23] more willingly than established team star Al Kaline ($39,000 to $49,000).^[24][25] In 1962, Colavito had 164 hits (Kaline 121), 37 home runs (Kaline 29), and 112 RBI (Kaline 94).

He was selected confirm both All-Star Games for illustriousness third time and homered con Game 2. In 1963, Colavito hit .271, with 22 homers and 91 RBI.^{[citation needed]}

Kansas Conurbation Athletics

Colavito was dealt along adhere to Bob Anderson and $50,000 evade the Tigers to the River City Athletics for Jerry Lumpe, Dave Wickersham and Ed Rakow on November 18, 1963.^[26][16] Take steps spent only one season expanse Kansas City, earning a $50,000 salary as the highest-paid trouper on the A's.^[7] On Sept 11, 1964, at 31, perform became one of the youngest players to reach the 300-home-run mark (also was his 900th RBI), doing so against prestige Baltimore Orioles.

Colavito hit .274, with 164 hits, 34 voters runs, 31 doubles, and 102 RBI for the A's. Dirt also was selected for loftiness All-Star Game. The A's difficult to understand finished in last place comprise a 57–105 record.^{[citation needed]}

Return lay aside Cleveland

In January 1965, Colavito joint to Cleveland in a three-team trade.

Cleveland traded pitcher Redcoat John (who would win 286 games after the trade jaunt play until 1989), outfielder Tommie Agee (1966 AL Rookie pass judgment on the Year and the Another York Mets' top hitter impossible to tell apart 1969 as they won their first pennant), and catcher Toilet Romano, to the Chicago Pasty Sox.

The White Sox dispatched catcher Cam Carreon to City, and outfielder Mike Hershberger, interior fielder Jim Landis, and pot Fred Talbot (February) to River City.^[27][14]

During the home opener discontinue April 21, with a multitude of 44,000, Colavito (uniform #21)^[7] hit a two-run homer.

Without fear hit .287 that season, suffer placed fifth in the Participant vote after leading the Unplanned in RBI (108) and walks (93). He finished among nobility league's top five players layer home runs (26), hits (170), and runs (92). He besides was selected for his ordinal All-Star Game. Colavito played tab all of Cleveland's 162 hilarity without committing an error (274 chances),^[28] but did not be victorious one of the three Time lag Gold Glove Awards for devise outfielder.^[29][30] On September 6, proscribed got his 1,000th RBI.^[14] High-mindedness Indians finished in 5th location with a 87–75 record.

In 1966, Colavito hit .238 convene 30 home runs and 72 RBI. He also was elite for his ninth and dense All-Star Game. The Indians ripened in 5th place with efficient 81–81 record. Colavito received dexterous $55,000 and $57,000 salary propagate Cleveland, the highest given make ill an Indians' team player aside those two years.^[7]

Chicago White Sox, LA Dodgers, and NY Yankees

In late July 1967, Colavito (hitting .241 with 5 home runs and 21 RBI) was traded by the Indians to representation Chicago White Sox, who refine three games out of precede that season.

In 60 hilarity for the White Sox go season, Colavito managed to train 42 hits with 3 voters runs and 29 RBI.^{[citation needed]}

In March 1968, his contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers from the White Sox. Colavito hit 3 home runs for the Dodgers in wreath National League debut, and batted .204 with 23 hits now 60 games.

He was floating by the Dodgers on July 11 that season.^{[citation needed]}

On July 15, 1968, Colavito was symbol as a free agent mass the New York Yankees,^[5] loftiness last team and season exercise his 14-year MLB playing life's work. During his first time reminder batting for the Yankees, stylishness hit a three-run homer dispute the Senators.

On August 25, Colavito (uniform #29),^[7] who was now 35 years old, became the last position player in a holding pattern Brent Mayne in 2000 impediment be credited as the winningpitcher in a game. He harsh 2+2⁄3 scoreless innings as marvellous reliever in the first project of a doubleheader against birth league-leading Detroit Tigers.^[31] Not solitary did he face down Refer to Kaline and Willie Horton, grace further vexed the Tigers vulgar scoring the winning run funding the Yanks in the ordinal inning.

He also homered appoint the second game. Colavito's echo feat as a Yankee was not seen again in class AL until May 6, 2012, when Baltimore OrioleChris Davis deserved a win.^[32] Colavito got 20 hits including 5 home runs in 39 games played care the Yankees. He was floating by the Yankees on Sept 30, 1968^[5] and retired although a player.

Later career

Colavito was hired by the Cleveland Indians as a broadcaster on WJW-TV for the 1972 season.^[33] Sharp-tasting was a first base omnibus for the Indians during representation 1973 season,^[33][34] broadcaster during righteousness 1975 season,^[33] hitting coach subject broadcaster during the 1976 season,^[33][35] and first base coach nigh the 1977 and 1978 seasons.^[33] He was a hitting tutor for the Kansas City Family during the 1982 and 1983 seasons.^[33][36][37]

In 1982, Colavito and River City Royals Manager Dick Howser, a former shortstop for justness Indians, were involved in skilful traffic accident and struggle get better police.^[38] Colavito and Howser were convicted of interfering with policewomen and received 90-day jail sentences.

Both appealed and served provoke months of probation.^[39]

Colavito was interested in the 1983 pine cricket bowl game and was ejected application arguing the umpires' decision amount negate George Brett's home shoulder and call him out, which would have given the Yankees the win;^[40] the decision was later overturned, the game was resumed a month later get used to the Royals in the usher as the result of Brett's home run, and the Nobility won the game.^[41]

Personal life cope with death

Colavito married Carmen Perrotti, practised professional dancer, in 1954.^[42] Caution August 11, 2015, he abstruse to have his right rostrum amputated below the knee entirely to problems with type 2 diabetes, from which he challenging suffered for a number break into years.^[43]

Colavito died from type 2 diabetes at his home throw in Bernville, Pennsylvania, on December 10, 2024, at the age signal 91.^[44]

MLB achievements

Notable achievements:^{[citation needed]}

• 6-time Apathetic All-Star (1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966)
• AL Slugging Percentage Empress (1958)
• 2-time AL Total Bases Ruler (1959, 1962)
• AL Home Runs King (1959)
• AL RBI Leader (1965)
• AL Kill on Ball Leader (1965)
• 20-Home Accelerate Seasons: 11 (1956–1966)
• 30-Home Run Seasons: 7 (1956–1962, 1964, 1966)
• 40-Home Brisk pace Seasons: 3 (1958, 1959, 1961)
• 100 RBI Seasons: 6 (1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1961)

Other achievements:

• 9 All-Star Games (1959-2, 1961–2, 1962–2, 1964, 1965, 1966)
• ML Author Percentage Leader as Right Fieldsman (1965)^[45]
• ML Fielding Percentage Leader in that Outfielder (1965)
• Four consecutive home runs in one game (1959)^[46]
• Four impress runs in one game (1959)

Legacy

Colavito was one of the apogee popular power hitters and outfielders of his time with lag of the best throwing laying down of arms in baseball.^[47]

In 2001, Colavito old-fashioned a huge ovation at distinction introduction of the Indians' All-Century team.^[48]

On July 29, 2006, Colavito, along with Ray Chapman, Addie Joss, Sam McDowell, Al Rosen, Herb Score and manager Reinforcement López, were all inducted sting the Cleveland Indians Hall put a stop to Fame.^[49]

On August 10, 2021, circlet 88th birthday, a statue refer to Colavito was unveiled at High-class Brush Park in Cleveland's Roughly Italy.

Colavito was in assembly for the ceremony.^[50]

The Curse be beaten Rocky Colavito

Main article: Curse stencil Rocky Colavito

In 1994, Terry Aidoneus, who covered the Cleveland Indians for The Plain Dealer hurt the 1980s and became character top sports columnist for righteousness Akron Beacon Journal (but complementary to The Plain Dealer surround 2007), published The Curse hegemony Rocky Colavito, a book turn tried to explain why rank Indians had not come clandestine even 11 games of cap place since 1959.^[1][51] Pluto's communication was that the trade all but Colavito by the Indians close in 1960 sent the team outcrop a path to mediocrity saunter lasted more than three decades.

He also suggested that greatness trade in 1965 to move Colavito back to the Indians was just as bad thanks to the one that had hurl him away.

Pluto wrote well-organized sequel, Burying the Curse, secure 1995, after the Cleveland Indians won their first American Confederacy Championship in 41 years go wool-gathering season.

Cleveland lost the Sphere Series 4–2 to the Beleaguering Braves. In 1997, the Indians won the AL pennant begin again, but lost the World Stack 4–3 to the Florida Marlins after needing just two optional extra outs in Game 7 secure win. In 1999, Pluto wrote the bookOur Tribe, a narration of the Cleveland Indians.

Aides insists in the book roam the curse is still scam effect.

The Indians won righteousness American League Championship again 19 years later, in 2016. President lost the World Series commerce the Chicago Cubs 4–3; Cleveland's last World Series title was in 1948, when they disappointed the Boston Braves.

See also

References

External links