Guardians legend Rocky Colavito passes away at 91, remembered for his 9× All-Star career
Nine-time MLB All-Star and Cleveland Guardians Hall of Famer Rocky Colavito passed away at the age of 91, the team announced on Tuesday night. The outfielder played 14 years in the majors, eight of which, were spent with the then Cleveland Indians in two separate stints.
"We are saddened to learn of the passing of Rocky Colavito. Colavito spent 8 of his 14 Major League seasons in Cleveland and was a 9-time All-Star. From 1958-1966, Colavito averaged 35 home runs and 100+ RBI." a tweet from Major League Baseball (@MLB) said.
Born Rocco Domenico Colavito Jr. in New York City on August 10, 1933, "Rocky" was born and raised as a New Yorker—and a diehard Yankee fan. He idolized Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio perhaps due to their common Italian roots. Colavito dropped out during his second year in high school to play semi-pro baseball in the hopes of making it to the majors.
Though the Yankees didn't show much interest in him, the Cleveland Indians expressed interest and signed him as an undrafted amateur free agent at the age of 17. Rocky Colavito made his major league debut on September 10, 1955 at the age of 22.
He would repay the trust shown in him by being featured in both of the 1959 All-Star games (All-Star games were held twice for a brief period). In 1959, Colavito led the American League in home runs, and became just the eighth player in the history of the majors to hit four home runs in a game.
However, the relationship between the team and the outfielder was prematurely cut off after Cleveland Indians general manager Frank Lane dealt him to the Detroit Tigers two days before opening day in 1960. In exchange, the Indians received 1959 AL batting champion Harvey Kuenn.
Colavito's time with the Tigers proved fruitful as he would appear in three more All-Star games in his time at the Motor City. After four seasons in Detroit, he would make his way for a one-off year with the Kansas City Athletic. He recorded his 300th career home run while playing for the Athletic.
Much to the delight of Indians fans, Rocky Colavito was brought back by Lane's successor, Gabe Paul. The star outfielder would spend two-and-a-half more years in Cleveland and was selected to two-more All-Star teams while finishing fifth in the 1965 AL MVP voting.
He would then play sparingly with the White Sox and the Dodgers. In 1968, fate would have it that Colavito would retire after playing for his childhood favourites, the Yankees.
Rocky Colavito was honored with a statue in 2021
Cleveland's residents unveiled a statue of the legendary outfielder on his 88th birthday in 2021. This statue is located in the historic Little Italy neighbourhood of the city.
Speaking on how much the honor meant to him, Rocky Colavito in an interview with Cleveland 19 News said:
"I never dreamt that anybody would put a statue of me when I was a kid growing up in the Bronx. I mean, I just wanted to be a big league player."
Colavito spent eight seasons with Cleveland and also coached them after his retirement. He also tried his hand at broadcasting during a stint for WJW-TV. For his contributions to his adopted hometown, Rocky Colavito was enshrined into the Guardians Hall of Fame in 2006.
Colavito was a fan favorite and many fans remember him for being a handsome, and muscular man. "This is a town so many have left willingly and merrily, so it’s hard not to gravitate toward the guys who truly considered it home," is how Anthony Castrovince summed up the aura of Colavito while writing a tribute piece for MLB.com.
Colavito summed up his relationship with the city once, teary-eyed, he said, "I always felt this is my town... I love Cleveland. It’s my favorite town in the world. That’s the God’s honest truth.”
Cleveland will fondly remember their hero, Rocky Colavito and the tales of his deeds on the diamond.