1. Overview
Rocco Domenico "Rocky" Colavito Jr. was an American professional baseball player, coach, and television sports commentator. He is widely recognized for his powerful hitting and strong throwing arm, primarily during his extensive tenure with the Cleveland Indians, where he became a beloved figure among fans. His career, spanning from 1955 to 1968, saw him become a nine-time All-Star and achieve numerous offensive milestones, including leading the American League (AL) in home runs and runs batted in. Colavito's career was marked by both impressive statistical performance and notable incidents, including a significant trade from the Indians that later became associated with "The Curse of Rocky Colavito," a narrative popularized to explain the team's subsequent struggles. After retiring as a player, he continued his involvement in baseball as a coach and broadcaster, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport, particularly in Cleveland.
2. Early life
Rocco Domenico Colavito Jr. was born on August 10, 1933, and raised in the Bronx, a borough of New York City. From a young age, he developed a profound passion for baseball, becoming a devoted fan of the New York Yankees and particularly admiring Joe DiMaggio. At the age of sixteen, Colavito chose to leave Theodore Roosevelt High School after his sophomore year, with the ambition of pursuing a career in semi-professional baseball, hoping it would pave his way to Major League Baseball (MLB).
MLB rules at the time typically required a player to wait until their high school class graduated before signing a professional contract. However, a special appeal allowed Colavito to turn professional after a one-year waiting period. While the Yankees, his favored team, showed limited interest, and the Philadelphia Athletics faced financial constraints preventing their pursuit, the Cleveland Indians expressed keen interest in Colavito, particularly impressed by his strong throwing arm. Indians scout Mike McNally had observed his tryout at Yankee Stadium. Colavito was signed by the Indians on January 1, 1951, at age 17, as an undrafted amateur free agent, with two-thirds of his signing bonus deferred until he advanced within their farm system. By 1954, Colavito had already demonstrated his burgeoning power, hitting 38 home runs and driving in 116 RBIs for the Indianapolis Indians, a minor league baseball team.
3. Professional baseball career
Rocky Colavito's professional baseball career spanned from his Major League debut in 1955 to his retirement in 1968, primarily with the Cleveland Indians, but also including stints with the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Yankees. He established himself as a prominent power hitter and an exceptional outfielder with a powerful throwing arm, earning recognition across the league.
3.1. Early career and minor leagues
After being signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1951, Colavito spent several years developing in the minor leagues. His performance with the Indianapolis Indians in 1954, where he hit 38 home runs and recorded 116 RBIs, highlighted his potential as a powerful slugger. He made his official Major League Baseball (MLB) debut for the Cleveland Indians on September 10, 1955. In 1956, he began the season playing in the Pacific Coast League, where he famously showcased his impressive throwing arm by reportedly hurling a baseball over the center-field wall, a distance of 436 ft from home plate. In July of that year, he returned to the Indians' roster.
3.2. Cleveland Indians (first stint)
Colavito quickly became a key player for the Cleveland Indians during his initial period with the team. In 1956, he finished the season with a batting average of .276 and 21 home runs, tying for runner-up in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. His performance continued to improve in 1957, as he hit 25 home runs with a .252 batting average.
The 1958 season was particularly remarkable for Colavito, where he achieved a career-high batting average of .303, alongside 41 home runs and 113 RBIs. He was just one home run shy of the league leader, Mickey Mantle. That season, Colavito led the American League (AL) in slugging percentage with a .620 average, which stood as the highest by an Indians right-handed hitter until Albert Belle in 1994. He also finished third in the MVP balloting. Demonstrating unusual versatility, Colavito even pitched three hitless innings for Cleveland against the Detroit Tigers on August 13 of that season.
In 1959, Colavito continued his power-hitting prowess, hitting 42 home runs and becoming the first Indians player to achieve two consecutive seasons with 40 or more home runs. He tied Harmon Killebrew for the AL home run lead that season and was also the AL leader in extra-base hits (66) and total bases (301). A historic highlight of his career occurred on June 10, when he became the second player in AL history to hit four consecutive home runs in a nine-inning game, a feat previously achieved by Lou Gehrig in 1932. Colavito later cited this game as the highlight of his professional career. He was selected for both of the All-Star Games held that season (two All-Star games were played annually from 1959 to 1962), and he homered in Game 2. The Indians finished second in the AL pennant race, five games behind the Chicago White Sox, marking the closest he would come to a title until 1967. He also finished fourth in the MVP vote for the year. Throughout this period, Colavito consistently hit 30-plus home runs for seven seasons, solidifying his reputation as a reliable power hitter. Despite being flat-footed, he was also recognized as an excellent outfielder with a very strong throwing arm.
3.3. Detroit Tigers
On April 17, 1960, just two days before the start of the season, Indians general manager Frank Lane controversially traded Colavito to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Harvey Kuenn, the 1959 AL batting champion. This trade was met with significant unpopularity among Indians fans, who saw their favorite player and best hitter depart. While the trade proved beneficial for the Tigers, Kuenn, despite hitting .308 for the Indians, was traded at the end of the year. The Tigers initially positioned Colavito in right field due to his formidable throwing arm, moving Al Kaline to center field for that season.
In his first season with the Tigers in 1960, Colavito batted .249 with 35 home runs and 87 RBIs. The following year, 1961, was exceptional for him, as he achieved a career-high 45 home runs, 140 RBIs, and 129 runs scored. Detroit's offense led the Major Leagues in scoring, and Colavito finished eighth in the MVP race. He was later moved to left field, allowing Kaline to return to his primary position in right field. Colavito was again selected for both All-Star Games held that season and homered in Game 2. On August 27, 1961, during a doubleheader against the Washington Senators at Griffith Stadium, he hit four home runs across both games, with three coming in the second game.
During his time with the Tigers, Colavito developed a tense relationship with Detroit Free Press sportswriter Joe Falls. Falls, who viewed Colavito critically, began a feature chronicling Colavito's "RNBI" (Run Not Batted In) statistic, facetiously noting every time Colavito stranded a runner. This infuriated Colavito. In one instance, Falls, acting as the official scorer, charged Colavito with a controversial error, leading to a post-game confrontation. Another incident saw Colavito, frustrated during a batting slump and facing taunts from Tigers fans, throw a barely caught ball in left field over the right-field light tower and roof. On May 12, 1961, Colavito was ejected from a game against the Yankees in New York after climbing into the stands, violating MLB rules, to confront a drunken fan who had been harassing his wife and father. The Tigers played the game under protest and ultimately won 4-3. Colavito also drew criticism from Detroit fans for holding out for a higher 1962 salary of 54.00 K USD, exceeding that of the established team star Al Kaline, who earned between 39.00 K USD and 49.00 K USD. In 1962, Colavito's offensive production remained strong with 164 hits, 37 home runs, and 112 RBIs, surpassing Kaline's figures in all three categories that year. He was selected for both All-Star Games for the third consecutive year and homered in Game 2. In 1963, he concluded his time with the Tigers with 22 home runs and 91 RBIs, batting .271.
3.4. Kansas City Athletics
On November 18, 1963, Colavito was traded from the Tigers to the Kansas City Athletics along with Bob Anderson and 50.00 K USD, in exchange for Jerry Lumpe, Dave Wickersham, and Ed Rakow. He spent only one season with the Kansas City Athletics, where he was the highest-paid player on the team, earning a salary of 50.00 K USD. On September 11, 1964, at the age of 31, Colavito became one of the youngest players in MLB history to reach the 300-home-run mark, achieving this milestone against the Baltimore Orioles. This swing also marked his 900th career RBI. In his single season with the Athletics, Colavito batted .274, collecting 164 hits, 34 home runs, 31 doubles, and 102 RBIs. He was also selected to the All-Star Game that year. Despite his strong individual performance, the Athletics finished the season in last place with a 57-105 record.
3.5. Return to Cleveland Indians
In January 1965, Rocky Colavito made a highly anticipated return to the Cleveland Indians as part of a complex three-team trade. In the deal, Cleveland sent pitcher Tommy John, outfielder Tommie Agee, and catcher John Romano to the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox, in turn, sent catcher Cam Carreon to Cleveland, and outfielder Mike Hershberger, center fielder Jim Landis, and pitcher Fred Talbot to Kansas City.
During the Indians' home opener on April 21, 1965, before a crowd of 44,000 enthusiastic fans, Colavito, wearing uniform number 21, hit a two-run homer, delighting the Cleveland faithful. That season, he batted .287 and finished fifth in the MVP vote. He led the American League in both RBIs (108) and walks (93). Furthermore, he ranked among the league's top five players in home runs (26), hits (170), and runs (92). He was also selected for his eighth All-Star Game. A testament to his defensive prowess, Colavito played in all of Cleveland's 162 games without committing a single error (274 chances), becoming the first outfielder in AL history to complete a season without an error; however, he did not receive a Rawlings Gold Glove Award for an outfielder that year. On September 6, he achieved another significant milestone, recording his 1,000th career RBI. The Indians concluded the 1965 season in fifth place with an 87-75 record.
In 1966, Colavito continued to contribute significantly, hitting 30 home runs and driving in 72 RBIs, though his batting average dipped to .238. This season marked his ninth and final All-Star Game selection. The Indians again finished in fifth place with an 81-81 record. During these two years, Colavito commanded the highest salary on the Indians team, earning 55.00 K USD in 1965 and 57.00 K USD in 1966.
3.6. Other teams and retirement
In late July 1967, while hitting .241 with 5 home runs and 21 RBIs, Colavito was traded by the Indians to the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox finished that season three games out of first place. In 60 games for the White Sox, Colavito collected 42 hits, 3 home runs, and 29 RBIs.
In March 1968, his contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers from the White Sox. Colavito made an impressive debut in the National League, hitting 3 home runs for the Dodgers. However, his overall performance with the team was limited, as he batted .204 with 23 hits in 60 games before being released by the Dodgers on July 11, 1968.
Just four days later, on July 15, 1968, Colavito was signed as a free agent by the New York Yankees. This marked his return to his childhood favorite team and would be the final team of his 14-year MLB playing career. In his very first at-bat for the Yankees, he hit a three-run homer against the Senators. On August 25, 1968, Colavito, then 35 years old and wearing uniform number 29, achieved a rare and notable feat: he became the last position player until Brent Mayne in 2000 to be credited as the winning pitcher in a game. He pitched 2 and 2/3 scoreless innings as a reliever in the first game of a doubleheader against the league-leading Detroit Tigers, notably facing down formidable hitters like Al Kaline and Willie Horton. Furthermore, he scored the winning run for the Yankees in the eighth inning of that game and also homered in the second game of the doubleheader. Colavito's pitching victory as a Yankee was not replicated in the AL until May 6, 2012, when Baltimore Oriole Chris Davis earned a win. In his final season, Colavito played 39 games for the Yankees, recording 20 hits and 5 home runs. He was released by the Yankees on September 30, 1968, officially retiring as a player.
4. Post-playing career
After concluding his playing career, Rocky Colavito remained actively involved in baseball, transitioning into roles as a television sports commentator and a coach.
In 1972, he was hired by the Cleveland Indians as a broadcaster for WJW-TV. He then served as a first base coach for the Indians during the 1973 season. Colavito returned to broadcasting for the 1975 season and took on a dual role as both hitting coach and broadcaster in 1976. He continued as a first base coach for the Indians in the 1977 and 1978 seasons. Following his time with Cleveland, he became a hitting coach for the Kansas City Royals during the 1982 and 1983 seasons.
During his tenure with the Royals, Colavito was involved in two notable incidents. In 1982, he and Kansas City Royals Manager Dick Howser, a former shortstop for the Indians, were involved in a traffic accident that escalated into a scuffle with police. Both Colavito and Howser were convicted of interfering with police, receiving 90-day jail sentences that were later appealed and converted to six months of probation.
In 1983, Colavito was directly involved in the famous Pine Tar Incident. He was ejected from the game for vigorously arguing the umpires' initial decision to negate George Brett's home run and call him out, which would have given the Yankees the win. However, this decision was later overturned by the league, and the game was resumed a month later with the Royals leading due to Brett's reinstated home run, which the Royals eventually won.
5. Personal life and death
Rocky Colavito's personal life included his marriage and a significant health battle that ultimately led to his passing.
5.1. Personal life
In 1954, Rocky Colavito married Carmen Perrotti, who was a professional dancer. Throughout his later years, Colavito suffered from type 2 diabetes, a chronic health condition that eventually led to severe complications. On August 11, 2015, due to issues stemming from his diabetes, he underwent surgery to have his right leg amputated below the knee.
5.2. Death
Rocky Colavito died from complications related to type 2 diabetes at his home in Bernville, Pennsylvania, on December 10, 2024. He was 91 years old at the time of his death.
6. Achievements and honors
Rocky Colavito's career was marked by a string of significant achievements and honors, cementing his place in baseball history, particularly with the Cleveland Indians.
He was a nine-time All-Star, including being selected for both All-Star Games held in 1959, 1961, and 1962. Colavito was the American League slugging percentage leader in 1958 and led the AL in total bases twice (1959, 1962). In 1959, he was the AL home run champion, and in 1965, he led the AL in RBIs and walks.
A consistent power hitter, Colavito achieved 20 or more home runs for 11 consecutive seasons (1956-1966), making him the fifth player in AL history to accomplish this feat. He had 30-home-run seasons in nine different years (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966) and exceeded 40 home runs three times (1958, 1959, 1961). He also recorded 100 or more RBIs in six seasons (1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965) and scored 100 runs once (1961).
Beyond his offensive prowess, Colavito was an exceptional defensive player. In 1965, he led the Major Leagues in fielding percentage as both a right fielder and overall outfielder, playing in all 162 games without committing an error. He also achieved the rare feat of hitting four home runs in a single game in 1959.
Upon his retirement in 1968, Colavito ranked third among AL right-handed hitters for career home runs (374) and eighth for AL games played as a right fielder (1,272).
His lasting impact on the Cleveland Indians organization is widely recognized. In 2001, a panel of veteran baseball writers, executives, and historians voted Colavito as one of the 100 greatest players in Cleveland Indians' history. On July 29, 2006, he was formally inducted into the Cleveland Guardians Hall of Fame. On his 88th birthday, August 10, 2021, a statue of Colavito was unveiled at Tony Brush Park in Cleveland's Little Italy, with Colavito present for the ceremony.
7. "The Curse of Rocky Colavito"
The concept of "The Curse of Rocky Colavito" was popularized by sportswriter Terry Pluto in his 1994 book of the same name. Pluto, who had covered the Cleveland Indians for The Plain Dealer in the 1980s, proposed that the unexpected trade of Colavito from the Indians to the Detroit Tigers in 1960 marked the beginning of a prolonged period of mediocrity for the Cleveland franchise. According to Pluto, this trade sent the team on a path where they failed to come within 11 games of first place for over three decades, linking their misfortunes directly to the departure of the popular and productive Colavito. He further suggested that the subsequent trade in 1965 that brought Colavito back to the Indians was equally detrimental to the team's long-term prospects.
In 1995, following the Cleveland Indians' first American League Championship in 41 years, Pluto published a sequel titled Burying the Curse. Despite the team's success in reaching the World Series that year, where they ultimately lost 4-2 to the Atlanta Braves, Pluto's work explored whether the curse had been lifted. The Indians again won the AL pennant in 1997 but lost the World Series 4-3 to the Florida Marlins, famously needing just two more outs in Game 7 to secure the championship. In his 1999 book, Our Tribe, a history of the Cleveland Indians, Pluto continued to assert that the curse remained in effect.
The Indians would not win another American League Championship until 19 years later, in 2016. In that World Series, they lost 4-3 to the Chicago Cubs. The team's last World Series title remains from 1948, when they defeated the Boston Braves.
8. Legacy and evaluation
Rocky Colavito is remembered as one of the most popular and impactful power hitters and outfielders of his era, distinguished by his exceptional hitting prowess and one of the strongest throwing arms in baseball. His combination of offensive firepower and defensive excellence made him a fan favorite, particularly during his time with the Cleveland Indians.
His enduring connection with the Cleveland fan base was evident when he received a massive ovation at the introduction of the Indians' All-Century team in 2001. This recognition, along with his induction into the Cleveland Guardians Hall of Fame in 2006, underscores his significant contributions to the franchise. The unveiling of a statue in his honor in Cleveland's Little Italy on his 88th birthday in 2021 further solidified his iconic status within the community and among baseball enthusiasts. Colavito's legacy is defined by his impressive statistical achievements, his consistent performance as a prominent power hitter, and his unique place in the lore of the Cleveland Indians, especially through the narrative of "The Curse of Rocky Colavito."