Quote:
Originally Posted by marzoumanian
In August 1968 I had just turned 13. I was listening to the Yankees on my transistor radio that I had won in a writing contest when I was 7. They were losing to Detroit (I believe) and Ralph Houk decided to bring in Rocky to pitch the last couple of innings. This is why I love baseball: the Yankees rallied, won the game, and Rocky got the win!
I was at a show decades later and decided to get his autograph. I brought up that game as he signed my ball. He remembered it fondly and smiled.
What a sweet man. RIP, Rocky, and thanks for giving a teenager a very fond memory as he listened to his little transistor radio.
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Nice reminiscence. Don't see the term "transistor radio" come up much anymore. I'll bet the Generation Whatevers have never seen one in action. A mainstay of my '50s youth.
Rocky Colavito was the drawing card when the Indians came to Yankee Stadium. For starters had that great name. There were certain players who were popular if only because the way their moniker rolled off the tongue. Ted Kluszewski, Rip Repulski, Orlando Cepeda.
Rocco Colavito. Plus he looked like a movie star right out of West Side Story. Went to many Yankee games and usually sat in the lower right field grandstands hard by Gate Six. As a result I got to see close up guys like Rocky and Al Kaline, Jackie Jensen and Roger Maris patrolling the starboard garden. No highlight reel recollections to report but happy memories all the same.
RIP Rocky Colavito