Rocky Colavito

Rocky Colavito
Birthdate 8/10/1933
Death Date
Debut Year 1955
Year of Induction
Teams Athletics, Dodgers, Indians, Tigers, White Sox, Yankees
Position Right Field

Thanks to 11 straight 20-homer seasons, only 2 AL right-handed batters had more career homers than Rocky Colavito when he retired in 1968.

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Rocky Colavito found immediate success at the big league level in 1955

Rocky Colavito found immediate success at the big league level in 1955

The runner-up in Rookie of the Year balloting in 1956, Rocky Colavito immediately established himself as a fan favorite for the Cleveland Indians. After hitting 87 home runs in his first three seasons Colavito had a breakout season in 1959, leading the league in homers and total bases in his first A
Rocky Colavito hit his 90th career homer on 4/25/59, the day this autographed card was postmarked

Rocky Colavito hit his 90th career homer on 4/25/59, the day this autographed card was postmarked

Government postcards like this one signed by Rocky Colavito provide context to the signature. This card was postmarked in Cleveland on April 25, 1959. That day Colavito hit his 90th career homer in a four-run 7th inning against the Chicago White Sox. Rocky enjoyed a 14-year big league career that in
On 4/16/1960 the Indians traded the AL home run leader for reigning batting champ Harvey Kuenn

On 4/16/1960 the Indians traded the AL home run leader for reigning batting champ Harvey Kuenn

In April, 1960 the Tigers and Indians teamed up for one of the most memorable deals in baseball history. The swap of Rocky Colavito for Harvey Kuenn remains the only trade of a reigning home run leader for a reigning batting champ. Indians fans were horrified to see their hero sent packing. Just 26
Here is Don Baylor's signed lineup card as manager the night Sammy Sosa passed Rocky Colavito on the all-time home run list

Here is Don Baylor's signed lineup card as manager the night Sammy Sosa passed Rocky Colavito on the all-time home run list

Rocky Colavito played in nine All Star games and ended his 14-year Major League career with 374 home runs. A prolific slugger, Colavito averaged 33 homers per season from 1956 to 1966. At the time of his retirement in 1968, only two AL right-handed hitters topped

15 responses to “Rocky Colavito”

  1. Walt Maki says:

    Great memories of a GREAT Player!!

  2. John Danklefsen says:

    ROCKY COLAVITO IS BY FAR THE BEST BASEBALL PLAYER TO EVER WEAR A CLEVELAND INDIAN UNIFORM!!!

  3. John Danklefsen says:

    SEND ROCKY COLAVITO TO COOPERSTOWN

  4. Marc says:

    To say the best is totally ridiculous. He was probably the most well liked, but now near the best

  5. BuckeyeDale says:

    Rocky Colavito was why I became a baseball fan. Doing the famous behind the neck stretch, and finishing your warm up swings with the bat pointed at the pitcher’s head…
    and let’s not forget his trip into the stands at Yankee Stadium to stop the drunk who was assaulting Rocky’s wife and father.
    The man should be in the HOF.

  6. Mike says:

    Kaline and Colavito were the heart and soul of the Tigers line up in the early 60’s. The Colavito stretch was unforgettable .

  7. frank jr. tagliareni says:

    Why isn’t ROCKY COLAVITO not in MLB Hall Of Fame????????

  8. Sean wrenn says:

    Just imagine if he was playing today in these bandbox tiny stadium he would have 800 home runs A real gentlemen was to his house in Reading Pa with a friend of his from Milford Pa. Had one of the greatest arms ever in baseball. A great great player

  9. Laura says:

    I remember him when I was a child. My favorite. Always looking for that Rocky Colavito baseball card in the bubble gum package. A great player&great man.

  10. jerry bellini says:

    Didn’t he have a lot of home runs in the minor league? Seems like over 60 in 1 year??

  11. Alessandro Machi says:

    If you add Rocky Colavito’s minor league home runs to his Major league total Rocky Colavito had 524 total home runs. What I find sad is by the Indians trading Rocky, Rocky lost that one team his whole career luster that turns a player into a legend. Also, the timing of the DH, just a couple years too late for Rocky to stay in shape for so he could have boosted his numbers. His defense was solid and his throwing arm tremendous. Imagine have an error free year when any throw to the infield could have been airmailed into the stands because he could throw the ball so far.

  12. Rl Rahe says:

    One of my favorite KC Athletic.

  13. rocky rose says:

    ROCKY was and is and will always be my favorite ballplayer.as a kid growing up is missed ROCKY’S first seasons in cleveland.i new him as a detroit tiger and living in texas we didn’t have a major league team so mine was the tigers (even though they didn’t treat rocky right). in 1974 ROCKY was coaching with cleveland.when they played the rangers i waited outside the clubhouse and asked if i could to ROCKY he came out and talked to me for at least 30 minutes what a wonderful man.it’s nice to know your hero is such a wonderful man.i felt like i was 10 again.he signed his rookie card and his last year.i had a 64 giant he said “i’ll sign this one personally for you what’s your name i said it’s rocky he said “where did you get that name i said i got from you. i have that card it says to rocky best wishes ROCKY COLAVITO i plan to be buried with it.not only is ROCKY a hof player he’s hof human being.i could’nt have picked a better hero.

  14. Mike Bermudez says:

    He belongs in Cooperstown, and you know it.

  15. John says:

    When Colavito fielded 1.000, Vic Davalillo must have felt like he was playing half of right field as well as center.

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"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball…"

~Jacques Barzun, 1954