When you hear the name Rocky Colavito, it carries a weight beyond the box score. In Cleveland, his name resonates like the crack of a bat hitting a home run, evoking memories of towering shots and unwavering dedication. A nine-time All-Star and 14-year MLB veteran, Colavito wasn’t just a great player—he was a cultural icon. His grit and charm made him beloved by fans, especially in Cleveland, where he spent eight of his fourteen seasons.
Born in the shadow of Yankee Stadium, Colavito grew up playing stoopball in New York, embodying a mix of toughness and charisma that became his hallmark. With 371 American League home runs and 11 straight seasons of 20+ homers, he carved out a legendary career. Even in his later years, "The Rock" remained a master storyteller, captivating audiences with tales from the diamond.
Colavito passed away at 91, leaving behind a lasting legacy. As the Cleveland Guardians stated, “Beloved by fans, Rocky spent eight of his fourteen MLB seasons with Cleveland. He represented the club in three All-Star Games while finishing top-5 in MVP voting on three occasions. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends during this time.”
I had the privilege of sitting down with Rocky in the summer of 2017. His stories, filled with humor and honesty, were as vibrant as his playing days. Though he faced the Mets just six times, his connection to New York baseball ran deep. Rocky Colavito wasn’t just a player—he was a legend.
Rocky’s journey began in the shadow of Yankee Stadium, where as a boy, he idolized Joe DiMaggio. “I used to run down to the corner every night to grab the Daily News,” Rocky recalls. “I’d look at the back page to see if DiMaggio homered. Those were exciting times.” Imagine young Rocky, wide-eyed and dreaming, clutching the newspaper as he followed DiMaggio’s legendary 56-game hitting streak.
Fast forward to 1955, when Rocky himself stepped into the major league spotlight. But the Bronx kid who adored the Yankees didn’t suit up in pinstripes. Instead, it was the Cleveland Indians who recognized his potential. “The Yankees wanted me to come to spring training without a contract,” Rocky remembers. “But the Indians offered me money—$3,000! Back then, that was a lot. I gave my dad $1,000, my brother $100, and still had enough to buy clothes for spring training.”
What drove Rocky wasn’t just his love for the game but a deep connection with fans, especially kids. “I always made time to sign autographs for the kids,” he says. “I’d grab one and say, ‘You line up behind this guy, and I’ll sign for everyone.’ I think that helped fans connect with me.”
Rocky’s respect for fans extended to his views on education. Having left high school to pursue baseball, he kept that decision private for years, fearing it might encourage kids to abandon their studies. “I thought education was so important. Not everyone gets lucky like I did,” he admits.
Over the years, his humility and charisma endeared him not just to fans but to his peers. “I was honored whenever a fellow player told me I was their favorite,”
Rocky shares. Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton once admitted as much.
Rocky’s brush with his childhood idol, Joe DiMaggio, came much later, during the Cracker Jack Old-Timers Games. “We played on the same team. He was a great guy,” Rocky says, almost as if he’s still that Bronx kid, starstruck by the Yankee Clipper.
Rocky Colavito fondly recalled his journey through the minor leagues, embracing the experience of playing in smaller towns. "I loved it. I never felt like a big city boy in a small town," he said. Colavito’s charisma and skill quickly endeared him to fans in every town he played in. "Every place that I played, it seemed like they liked me. I don’t know why, but I had a nice following."
He recounted his early days in the minors, including his first year in the Coastal Plain League, where he led the league in home runs. “When you hit a home run, they’d pass a can around,” he said, explaining a unique tradition where fans would donate money as tips for his home runs. “At the end of the night, you got half of it, and the other half went into a pool for the team at the end of the season.” Colavito appreciated the generosity of the fans, especially given the modest income minor leaguers earned at the time.
Colavito climbed the Cleveland Indians’ minor league system, advancing every year. In 1953, he played in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he not only developed as a player but also forged two important relationships. One was with Herb Score, his future teammate and roommate for a time. "Herbie and I decided to room together because neither of us played poker, so we wouldn’t disturb each other,” Colavito recalled. Despite their friendship, they didn’t end up rooming together during the Reading season, an oversight that still puzzled him.
The other significant relationship was with his future wife, Carmen, whom he met later that season. A mutual friend, Mary Attili, introduced them. “Mary was our maid of honor. She sold me a raffle ticket and introduced me to my wife,” Colavito said. He reminisced about the modest lifestyle in the minors, eating at affordable, albeit uninspiring, restaurants like the Piccadilly, as $300 a month didn’t leave much room for luxuries.
Years later, Colavito’s legendary arm made an indelible mark during his MLB debut on September 24, 1955. He described vividly his iconic throw to third base to cut down Earl Torgeson, a play Torgeson retold for years. “He was shocked,” Colavito said, laughing. "But he told that story all winter long."
Rocky Colavito's story, filled with moments of triumph and reflection, continues to captivate baseball fans decades later. When discussing the infamous trade that sent him from Cleveland to Detroit in 1960, his reaction highlights both the personal and cultural weight of the event. "I'm kind of honored that they still talk about it," Rocky admitted. "That means they still remember you and still hate the trade as much as I did." The trade, labeled by some as the origin of "The Curse of Rocky Colavito," remains a flashpoint in Cleveland sports history.
Rocky vividly recalled the moment he learned of the trade: “Joe Gordon came up to me on the field and said, ‘Rocky, that’s the last time you’ll ever hit in a Cleveland uniform.’ I couldn’t believe it.” He added, “Contrary to what Frank Lane claimed, I never said anything negative about Harvey [Keene]. He was a great player, just a different kind of hitter. But that trade hurt. I was upset, but back then, you didn’t let it show.”
The trade’s shock waves extended beyond Rocky's own feelings, resonating deeply with fans. "Harvey was well-liked in Detroit, and I was greeted warmly in Cleveland," he reflected. "But the trade was tough for everyone involved. It wasn’t about animosity towards Harvey; it was just the nature of the deal."
One of the more surprising chapters of Rocky's career came when he pitched in the majors—twice against his former team, the Tigers. In one memorable outing in 1958, Rocky pitched three scoreless innings and retired Harvey Keene twice. Despite the poetic justice fans might have expected, Rocky dismissed any personal rivalry: “I never felt animosity towards Harvey. Honestly, I just wanted to get them all out. I wanted to strike them all out, but it didn’t happen,” he said with a chuckle.
Even years later, Rocky's pitching feats were brought up by fans and media alike. On Home Run Derby, host Mark Scott referred to him as “the modern-day Babe Ruth” for his rare transition from pitcher to slugger. Reflecting on his lone big-league win as a pitcher, Rocky remarked, “It was fun, but I only did it as a favor. I told Ralph Houk [Yankees manager] I’d pitch if he needed me, and somehow it worked out.”
Rocky Colavito’s legacy is more than just his stats or the infamous trade that defined an era. It’s the enduring connection he forged with fans, teammates, and the game itself. "It’s an honor to still be remembered," he said humbly. "The game has given me so much, and I’m grateful for all of it—the good and the bad."
Rocky Colavito’s impact on the game of baseball extends far beyond the numbers he posted on the field. His journey—from the streets of the Bronx to the big leagues—reflects the grit, determination, and charisma that endeared him to fans across the country. Whether he was blasting home runs, dazzling with his arm, or captivating with stories of his career, Rocky embodied the essence of the game. Though his career was marked by both triumphs and heartache, including the infamous trade that defined an era in Cleveland sports history, Colavito’s legacy remains timeless. As he once said, “The game has given me so much,” and, in return, he gave it his heart, making an indelible mark on baseball’s rich history.
Here is the full interview with Rocky Colavito from July 2017:
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