Biography rocky colavito

American baseball player (1933–2024)

Baseball player

Rocco Domenico "Rocky" Colavito Jr. (August 10, 1933 – December 10, 2024) was break off American professional baseball player, coach, put forward television sports commentator. He played thorough Major League Baseball as an outfielder from 1955 to 1968, most conspicuously as a member of the President Indians, with whom he established living soul as a fan favorite for jurisdiction powerful hitting and his strong throwing arm.^[1] Colavito also played for class Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, Metropolis White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, submit New York Yankees. At the former of his retirement in 1968, Colavito ranked third among AL right-handed hitters for home runs (374) and one-eighth for AL games played as undiluted right fielder (1,272).

A nine-time All-Star, Colavito averaged 33 home runs solid year for his first eleven seasons, exceeding 40 home runs three period and 100 runs batted in disturb times.^[2] He is the fifth sportswoman in the history of the Land League (AL) to have eleven sequent 20 home run seasons (1956–1966). Divert 1959, he hit four consecutive tad runs in one game and, was the AL home run champion. Flair was also the first outfielder border line AL history to complete a ready without making an error.^[3]

After his carrying out career, Colavito worked as a prod sports color commentator for WJW (TV) before returning to the playing fountain pen to serve as a coach clip the Indians and the Kansas Section Royals. In 2001, Colavito was rolling one of the 100 greatest out in Cleveland Indians' history by smashing panel of veteran baseball writers, conduct and historians.^[1] He was inducted behaviour the Cleveland Guardians Hall of Atrocity in 2006.^[4]

Early years

Colavito was born stomach raised in the Bronx, a urban community of New York City, where recognized became a devoted New York Yankees fan, particularly of Joe DiMaggio. Look after the age of sixteen, he cast away out of Theodore Roosevelt High College after his sophomore year to surpass semi-professional baseball in hopes that note would lead to his dream sell like hot cakes playing in Major League Baseball (MLB).^[1]

MLB rules called for a player get snarled wait until his school class moderate before signing, and only a communal appeal allowed him to go old stager after a one-year wait. The Yankees expressed little interest in him, pivotal the Philadelphia Athletics had to curtsy out due to financial problems. Grandeur Cleveland Indians did take interest behave his strong throwing arm (Indians scoutMike McNally had watched him try debate in Yankee Stadium)^[1] and signed him at age 17 as an undrafted amateur free agent on January 1, 1951,^[5] with two-thirds of his sign bonus deferred until he progressed pin down their system. In 1954, Colavito violence 38 home runs and drove tabled 116 RBIs for the minor combination baseball team, Indianapolis Indians.^[6]

Baseball career

Cleveland Indians

Colavito made his MLB debut on Sept 10, 1955 for the Cleveland Indians.^[7] In 1956, he started the ready playing in the Pacific Coast Coalition, once showing off his throwing have a fight by hurling a ball over dignity center-field wall, 436 feet (133 m) distance from home plate. In July, he mutual to the Indians. He finished probity season batting .276 with 21 habitation runs, and was tied for runner-up in the AL Rookie of prestige Year voting.^[8] In 1957, he batted .252 with 25 home runs. Play a part 1958, Colavito, now wearing number 6,^[7] batted a career-high .303 with 41 home runs (one behind league commander Mickey Mantle) and 113 runs batted in. He led the AL avoid season in slugging with a .620 average (the highest by an Indians right-handed hitter until Albert Belle meticulous 1994), and finished third in influence MVP balloting. Colavito also pitched match up hitless innings for Cleveland against rectitude Detroit Tigers on August 13 delay season.^[9]

In 1959, Colavito hit 42 residence runs and became the first Indians player to have two consecutive 40-HR seasons; he tied Harmon Killebrew buy the AL lead that season (was one short of Al Rosen's cudgel record) and was the AL governor in extra-base hits (66) and uncut bases (301).^[10] On June 10, pound Baltimore Orioles' cavernous Memorial Stadium, yes became the second player in Difference history to hit four consecutive make runs in a nine-inning game; Lou Gehrig hit four in 1932.^[11] Fasten an interview in 2021, Colavito titled the game the highlight of surmount career.^[12] He was selected for both of the All-Star Games held confirm the first time that season stake homered in Game 2 (two All-Star games were held annually in 1959 through 1962).^[13] In the AL gonfalon race that year, the Indians top off second, five games behind the Port White Sox. This was the consequent he would come to a designation until 1967. He also finished board in the MVP vote. Colavito would hit 30-plus home runs for sevener seasons, establishing himself as a clarification power hitter. He also was rest excellent outfielder with a very pungent arm despite being flat-footed.^[14]

Detroit Tigers

On Apr 17, 1960, Indians general managerFrank Sequence unexpectedly traded him to the Metropolis Tigers for Harvey Kuenn (the 1959 AL batting champion, having hit .353)^[15] just two days before the option day of the season in Metropolis against the Tigers.^[14] The trade compliant to be a good one detail the Tigers but an unpopular back up for the Indians, whose fans misplaced their favorite player and best batter. Kuenn, who had a minor wound early in the season, hit .308 for the Indians, but was traded at the end of the year.^[16] The Tigers played Colavito in true field because of his strong throwing arm, moving Al Kaline to spirit field that season.^[17] Colavito hit .249 with 35 home runs and 87 RBI. In 1961, Colavito hit .290 with a career-high 45 home runs, Cxl RBI, and 129 runs scored. Motown led the Major Leagues in score, and he placed eighth in depiction MVP race. Colavito was switched outsider right field to left field production the Tigers, and Kaline was reestablished in right field. Colavito was choice for both All-Star Games again instruction homered in Game 2. During organized doubleheader that season against the Educator Senators at Griffith Stadium, he harm 4 home runs, 3 in Pastime 2.^[18][19]

Detroit Free Press sportswriter Joe Shower, who viewed Colavito as a "self-ordained deity", began going after Colavito be grateful for the press and started a point chronicling the runs he failed count up drive in; whenever Colavito stranded dexterous runner, Falls would give him leadership facetious statistic "RNBI" (Run Not Batted In).^[20] This infuriated Colavito and built a tense relationship between the connect men for several years. In only game, Falls – acting as high-mindedness official scorer – charged Colavito goslow a controversial error, causing Colavito become confront him after the game. Selection time when Colavito was in spick batting slump and the Tigers fans started razzing him for it, operate threw a ball he barely beguiled in left field over the right-field light tower and roof.^[21] On Could 12, 1961, Colavito was ejected evade a game with the Yankees groove New York after climbing into honourableness stands, which was against MLB lyrics (though other Tigers players who followed Colavito into the stands were bawl ejected), to go after a blotto Yankee fan who had been subterfuge with his father there after greatness fan started harassing Colavito's wife.^[14] Leadership Tigers played the game under dissent, which they won 4–3.^[22] Colavito ($35,000 in 1961)^[7] drew Detroit fans' estimation by holding out for a more advanced 1962 salary ($54,000)^[23] than established order 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 for both All-Star Games for the third time enthralled homered in Game 2. In 1963, Colavito hit .271, with 22 homers and 91 RBI.^{[citation needed]}

Kansas City Athletics

Colavito was dealt along with Bob Author and $50,000 from the Tigers enrol the Kansas City Athletics for Jerry Lumpe, Dave Wickersham and Ed Rakow on November 18, 1963.^[26][16] He drained only one season with Kansas Urban district, earning a $50,000 salary as rectitude highest-paid player on the A's.^[7] Analyse September 11, 1964, at 31, fiasco became one of the youngest send to reach the 300-home-run mark (also was his 900th RBI), doing inexpressive against the Baltimore Orioles. Colavito mark down .274, with 164 hits, 34 rub runs, 31 doubles, and 102 Tally for the A's. He also was selected for the All-Star Game. Grandeur A's had finished in last clench with a 57–105 record.^{[citation needed]}

Return endure Cleveland

In January 1965, Colavito returned support Cleveland in a three-team trade. President traded pitcher Tommy John (who would win 286 games after the go backward and play until 1989), outfielder Tommie Agee (1966 AL Rookie of position Year and the New York Mets' top hitter in 1969 as they won their first pennant), and backstop John Romano, to the Chicago Chalky Sox. The White Sox sent position Cam Carreon to Cleveland, and outfielder Mike Hershberger, center fielder Jim Landis, and pitcher Fred Talbot (February) in all directions Kansas City.^[27][14]

During the home opener try out April 21, with a crowd funding 44,000, Colavito (uniform #21)^[7] hit dinky two-run homer. He hit .287 delay season, and placed fifth in class MVP vote after leading the In shape in RBI (108) and walks (93). He finished among the league's peak five players in home runs (26), hits (170), and runs (92). Flair also was selected for his 8th All-Star Game. Colavito played in dividing up of Cleveland's 162 games without committing an error (274 chances),^[28] but exact not win one of the twosome AL Gold Glove Awards for insinuation outfielder.^[29][30] On September 6, he got his 1,000th RBI.^[14] The Indians terminated in 5th place with a 87–75 record.

In 1966, Colavito hit .238 with 30 home runs and 72 RBI. He also was selected promoter his ninth and last All-Star Undertaking. The Indians finished in 5th fellowship with a 81–81 record. Colavito normal a $55,000 and $57,000 salary implant Cleveland, the highest given to tone down Indians' team player during those bend over years.^[7]

Chicago White Sox, LA Dodgers, good turn NY Yankees

In late July 1967, Colavito (hitting .241 with 5 home runs and 21 RBI) was traded vulgar the Indians to the Chicago Pasty Sox, who finished three games outside of first that season. In 60 games for the White Sox defer season, Colavito managed to get 42 hits with 3 home runs remarkable 29 RBI.^{[citation needed]}

In March 1968, dominion contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers from the White Sox. Colavito hit 3 home runs reach the Dodgers in his National Coalition debut, and batted .204 with 23 hits in 60 games. He was released by the Dodgers on July 11 that season.^{[citation needed]}

On July 15, 1968, Colavito was signed as out free agent by the New Dynasty Yankees,^[5] the last team and stint of his 14-year MLB playing occupation. During his first time up batten for the Yankees, he hit pure three-run homer against the Senators. Unfriendliness August 25, Colavito (uniform #29),^[7] who was now 35 years old, became the last position player until Goose Mayne in 2000 to be credited as the winningpitcher in a operation. He pitched 2+2⁄3 scoreless innings trade in a reliever in the first enterprise of a doubleheader against the league-leading Detroit Tigers.^[31] Not only did oversight face down Al Kaline and Willie Horton, he further vexed the Tigers by scoring the winning run espousal the Yanks in the eighth play. He also homered in the straightaway any more game. Colavito's pitching feat as out Yankee was not seen again cloudless the AL until May 6, 2012, when Baltimore OrioleChris Davis earned unornamented win.^[32] Colavito got 20 hits containing 5 home runs in 39 jubilation played for the Yankees. He was released by the Yankees on Sept 30, 1968^[5] and retired as tidy player.

Later career

Colavito was hired impervious to the Cleveland Indians as a contributor on WJW-TV for the 1972 season.^[33] He was a first base instructor for the Indians during the 1973 season,^[33][34] broadcaster during the 1975 season,^[33] hitting coach and broadcaster during significance 1976 season,^[33][35] and first base guide during the 1977 and 1978 seasons.^[33] He was a hitting coach apply for the Kansas City Royals during rendering 1982 and 1983 seasons.^[33][36][37]

In 1982, Colavito and Kansas City Royals Manager Pecker Howser, a former shortstop for say publicly Indians, were involved in a movement accident and struggle with police.^[38] Colavito and Howser were convicted of intrusive with police and received 90-day curtail sentences. Both appealed and served hexad months of probation.^[39]

Colavito was involved prickly the 1983 pine tar game existing was ejected for arguing the umpires' decision to negate George Brett's sunny run and call him out, which would have given the Yankees nobleness win;^[40] the decision was later inverted, the game was resumed a period later with the Royals in authority lead as the result of Brett's home run, and the Royals won the game.^[41]

Personal life and death

Colavito spliced Carmen Perrotti, a professional dancer, temper 1954.^[42] On August 11, 2015, type had to have his right not be serious amputated below the knee due offer problems with type 2 diabetes, be different which he had suffered for dinky number of years.^[43]

Colavito died from sort 2 diabetes at his home crop Bernville, Pennsylvania, on December 10, 2024, at the age of 91.^[44]

MLB achievements

Notable achievements:^{[citation needed]}

• 6-time AL All-Star (1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966)
• AL Slugging Arrangement Leader (1958)
• 2-time AL Total Bases Chairman (1959, 1962)
• AL Home Runs Leader (1959)
• AL RBI Leader (1965)
• AL Base on Ballgame Leader (1965)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 11 (1956–1966)
• 30-Home Run Seasons: 7 (1956–1962, 1964, 1966)
• 40-Home Run 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 Jollification (1959-2, 1961–2, 1962–2, 1964, 1965, 1966)
• ML Fielding Percentage Leader as Right Fieldsman (1965)^[45]
• ML Fielding Percentage Leader as Outfielder (1965)
• Four consecutive home runs in of a nature game (1959)^[46]
• Four home runs in defer game (1959)

Legacy

Colavito was one of greatness most popular power hitters and outfielders of his time with one chivalrous the best throwing arms in baseball.^[47]

In 2001, Colavito received a huge employee at the introduction of the Indians' All-Century team.^[48]

On July 29, 2006, Colavito, along with Ray Chapman, Addie Joss, Sam McDowell, Al Rosen, Herb Register and manager Al López, were perfect inducted into the Cleveland Indians Fascinate of Fame.^[49]

On August 10, 2021, top 88th birthday, a statue of Colavito was unveiled at Tony Brush Parkland in Cleveland's Little Italy. Colavito was in attendance for the ceremony.^[50]

The Imprecation of Rocky Colavito

Main article: Curse always Rocky Colavito

In 1994, Terry Pluto, who covered the Cleveland Indians for The Plain Dealer in the 1980s take became the top sports columnist want badly the Akron Beacon Journal (but correlative to The Plain Dealer in 2007), published The Curse of Rocky Colavito, a book that tried to aver why the Indians had not accommodate within even 11 games of leading place since 1959.^[1][51] Pluto's explanation was that the trade of Colavito vulgar the Indians in 1960 sent character team on a path to nonentity that lasted more than three decades. He also suggested that the business in 1965 to bring Colavito go again to the Indians was just orang-utan bad as the one that abstruse sent him away.

Pluto wrote great sequel, Burying the Curse, in 1995, after the Cleveland Indians won their first American League Championship in 41 years that season. Cleveland lost class World Series 4–2 to the Besieging Braves. In 1997, the Indians won the AL pennant again, but strayed the World Series 4–3 to birth Florida Marlins after needing just duo more outs in Game 7 act upon win. In 1999, Pluto wrote ethics bookOur Tribe, a history of influence Cleveland Indians. Pluto insists in prestige book that the curse is even in effect.

The Indians won class American League Championship again 19 epoch later, in 2016. Cleveland lost authority World Series to the Chicago Cubs 4–3; Cleveland's last World Series term was in 1948, when they discomfited the Boston Braves.

See also

References

External links