I always felt bad that he didnt get a job in baseball. In 1959, he hit four consecutive home runs in one game. Rocky also hit four home runs in one game at Memorial Stadium on June 10, 1959. For 83-year-old Rocky Colavito, it could very well end any hope of him being enshrined in his lifetime. I didnt want them to lose.. Browse channels After a run of success, he demanded a higher salary, which ticked off team general manager Frank Lane and moved him to trade Colavito to the Detroit Tigers for Harvey Kuenn. I am Rocky Colavitos nephew. Rocky Colavitos 374 career home runs are impressive, but in combination with his other numbers, he is on balance still a Cooperstown outsider in my estimation. It was hard for me, Colavito said. In 1960, the Indians traded star right fielder Rocky Colavito. Does he belong in the Hall of Fame? All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. In splitting nominees into one of four eras depending on when their best seasons occurred, the Hall of Fame opted to have veteran candidates from the 1970-1987 and 1988-present eras considered at least twice every five years. Rocky Colavito ( 1960-1964 ) is retired and living in Pennsylvania . In fact, challenges for veteran candidates began long before last July. He can be enshrined by the Veterans Committee. Bill Madlock: Is He One of the 50 Best Not in the Hall? Bronx, New York, United States Rocky Colavito/Place of birth Is Rocky Colavito in the HOF? Score shined in his first appearance weeks lateron June 14, striking out five in three scoreless innings. Only 35 years old at the time of his retirement, Colavito almost certainly could have hung on for another year or two. Always accommodating, he told his wife to give him two hours after games one for the locker room and one to sign autographs. After, Colavito said, Indians personnel didnt know what they were doing with Score, putting his elbow in heating packs and then having him go throw until he felt pain. Register for Auction. The beloved Cleveland Indians player Rocky Colavito is getting a permeant place in Little Italy, with a statue reveal of the beloved Italian baseball legend scheduled for Tuesday. Detroit. Hed been back before for his induction into the Indians Hall of Fame, for his 80th birthday in 2013. He currently resides at Perry Ave, Bayville, New York, 11709-2622 and has been living there since he changed his "My wife is the one who takes care of that duty and she enjoys it but it's been extremely stressful. Many believe his unpopular departure hexed an Indians franchise The Curse of Rocky Colavito was the phrase author Terry Pluto coined that hasnt won a World Series since 1948. As they used to say with good reason, Dont Knock the Rock. Heres to you, Rocco! To me, he was the ultimate jerk, just not a good human being. while relievers youve never heard of now flirt with 100 mph fastballs. It is, however, an open question whether another year or two would have been sufficient for Rocky to hit the 26 HRs he needed to reach 400, as he had only 8 in 68. But the Hall opted to have players who made their greatest contribution between 1950 and 1969 considered just once every five years. During the 1950s and early 1960s, Rocky was one of the most feared hitters in baseball These cards could include any combination of series including superstars (Mantle . Before the Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton did it Tuesday night, the Cleveland Indians' Rocky Colavito was the only player to hit four home runs in a game against the Orioles. Colavito, who lives with his wife north of Reading in Bernville and has two sons, a daughter, five granddaughters and a great-grandson, still follows baseball. Found inside Page 262Bill Bruton ( 1961-1964 ) is now living in Wilmington , Delaware . One of ONLY 10 players to win the Natl league batting crown FOUR times. Found inside Page 215Fans in Chicago would be able to see the games broadcast live on WGN. He is 85 now, retired and missing a portion of his right leg that circulation problems claimed. 60s. Rocky Colavito 1961 Topps #330 Baseball Card. Dave Parker, Does he belong in the Hall of Fame? innings of shutout relief against Detroit and earning a win, the last position player to do so in the AL until 2000. Plenty of great players from Crotona Park (ever hear of Hank Greenberg?) We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. To me, Colavito falls into a class of players who might have been Hall of Famers had they kept up the pace from the first half of their careers, rather than falling almost completely off the map around 30. I was pleasantly surprised when you mentioned my Uncle Dom as he was known to be a better player than my Uncle Rocky, but had a bad knee so the Yankees wouldnt take him. That same year, at 35, he retired. But he could make some outstanding plays. 1960-PresentHow the Curse Started. As a kid I used to throw rocks and stones, Colavito, the former Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers outfielder, said from his home near Reading, Pa. I used to He had some power and he was one hell of a good hitter. They had this big chart we were supposed to check every day, he recalled. California residents do not sell my data request. This is a hand signed Rocky Colavito baseball. I was one of the few that could throw from dead center to home straight line , I shock many of runners until they knew not to run on me . 1957 Topps Baseball Rocco (Rocky) Colavito Rookie for auction. Colavito may or may not warrant a mention on the national telecast. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Even without a Cooperstown plaque, Rocky Colavito remains a very talented and compelling player who will not soon be forgotten by those who had the privilege of seeing him play. He bore down 100 percent of the time and was a good teammate. Found inside Page 75On the morning of September 18 , Gordon told reporters he would resign 31 7 0 5 16 Rocky Colavito ( RF ) 154 588 90 151 24 0 ( 42 ) 111 Gordy Coleman 6 Found inside Page 1844Now it's up to you to decide whether I go there just to live on my own or time in the outfield with another promising young player, Rocky Colavito, I love you, Colavito told the audience during the 5-hour event. Replacing Couch Cushions Diy, Your email address will not be published. Though he was a TIGER at the time, the CLEVELAND Fans gave him a standing ovation for his feat after he ended up grounding out to 2nd. But I didnt put any curse on Cleveland. This season, the Indians lead the majors with 10 complete games. Colavito was selected to start in his first All Star Game, July 7, 1959, at Forbes Field. WebWhere does Rocky Colavito live today? A lifetime batting average of .266, 374 career home runs and 1,730 hits dont seem sufficient for Cooperstown, and several of the players Colavito charts most closely to offensively fall into the good-but-not-great category: Boog Powell, Norm Cash, Frank Howard. Who is the other Colavito you were referring to? WebHow does one not lose themself while caring for a loved one with cancer? One of ONLY 10 players to win the Natl league batting crown FOUR times. He was the best of them all. After reaching first in the fourth inning of the final exhibition game, the ALs reigning home-run king was visited by manager Joe Gordon, who told him general manager Frank Lane had traded him to Detroit for batting champ Harvey Kuenn. In better health these days, Colavitofocuses on the things that are important. His return to Cleveland had inadvertently added a new chapter to the Curse saga. The former Indians great, one of the top sluggers of the 1950s In 1959, the Sporting News named Colavito the player most likely to break Babe Ruths 60-home run mark. But the story of the contentment he found in a fetid business far from baseball's spotlight could serve as a reminder of all the pre-free-agency stars who had second acts in the shadows. That same season he hit four consecutive homers in a game against Baltimore and was named an All-Star starter. Green called Mark Sommers book, Rocky Colavito: Clevelands Iconic Slugger the turning point in bringing a respectful hat tip to Colavitos life and career. You can try reaching Rocky D Colavito's landline at (610) 926-5410 or call at (570) 617-1182.The latter is a mobile phone number. Roger Maris - Autographed Signed Photograph co-signed by: Harmon Killebrew, Norm Cash, Rocky Colavito, Mickey Mantle - Item 87273. He hit more home runs and drove in more runs than anyone else in the AL from 57 to 65. He barely registered as a candidate when he first became eligible with the BBWAA, drawing two votes out of 365 ballots cast in 1974 and one vote in 1975. Colavito had the strongest arm in baseball and he was a feared hitter. Colavito raced from right field to the pitchers mound, putting his glove below Scores head to stabilize it. Kevins 160-acres of stunning Rocky Mountain property features two lakes, a main house and two guest homes nestled outside of Aspen, Colorado. Birth Date. They had this big chart we were supposed to check every day, he recalled. I was a family doctor rooting for the Braves who had dale murphy who won mvps in 82 and 83 and was second in 84. Its been 51 years since the power-hitting, cannon-armed Rocky Colavito played his final major-league game. From tragedy and injustice to freedom and, eventually, to fame, this is the remarkable story of The Jump Artist. We provide access to a large variety of Detroit Beautiful, along with items such as Collectors Plate, Sideshow, Trading Card, Discontinued, and many extra.Shop our wide collection, or try doing a search for a specific Sold Out . Though he had several productive Detroit seasons, Colavito never reached a World Series. It was hard work, real labor, Colavito said of the business in which he partnered with his father-in-law. Found inside Page 88But when I live in Easter faith , I learn that there's a truth beyond my Rocky Colavito and Al Kaline would never welcome me into the Detroit Tigers We are offering genuine Topps Baseball Christmas Rack Packs originally issued between 1954-1962. Legends usually inspire curses. Statistically, he wouldnt be a terrible choice, particularly in terms of peak offensive value. Id drive by and see him. It was not claimed that Colavito placed the curse, and he has denied doing so. In fact, theyve done it twice, 1920 and 1948, and they also lost to the New York Giants in the 1954 World Series. It was all about him. Heck, the Cleveland Indians were supposedly afflicted for years with something called the Curse of Rocky Colavito following their ill-fated trade of him for Harvey Kuenn just before the start of the 1960 season. Had the majors expanded back then many of my team mates would have made it to the big show. 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