R I P Rocky Colavito :

[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.

[MikeGarcia]

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.

.. I recall , maybe wrongly , an anecdote from long long ago , that he was one of a very few players to have played the most different positions in one day of baseball ?? Like maybe a doubleheader in which both games went into extra innings ?? And he played infield and outfield and the battery ?? Anybody aware of that as a " stat " ? Thanks.

[jingram058]

He hit the last home run ever at Russwood Park. The ballpark's grandstands, mainly wood, burned completely down that night after an exhibition game between the Indians and the White Sox.

[cgjackson222]

Originally Posted by MikeGarcia

.. I recall , maybe wrongly , an anecdote from long long ago , that he was one of a very few players to have played the most different positions in one day of baseball ?? Like maybe a doubleheader in which both games went into extra innings ?? And he played infield and outfield and the battery ?? Anybody aware of that as a " stat " ? Thanks.

Colavito only played outfield positions and 1B, but he did pitch for Cleveland and the Yankees. 5.2 total innings—never let up a run.

[Gorditadogg]

He was a great player in his prime. I remember him at the end of his career with the White Sox. Sox were hoping he could help them make a run, but he had nothing left in the tank by then.

[Balticfox]

Very sad.



He was one of my very favourite players when I was a kid. His name was magic to me. The Indians should never have traded him.

[Kawika]

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.

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

[The Detroit Collector]

Rip

[JLange]

Sad to see Rocky pass. Rocky Colavito cards and memorabilia are on every Cleveland collector's wantlist.

[MarcosCards]

For us who cheered for the Tigers in the early 1960’s — we loved Rocky Colavito. To pull his 1962 Topps batting cage card would make you temporary king of the neighborhood. Who remembers his back-stretching maneuver with his bat? Classic Rocky.

[JollyElm]

1964colavitostandupnonperforated.jpg

Here's a cool card to add to the thread, a 1964 Topps Stand-Up Colavito without any perforations.

Rest in peace, Rocky. Never heard a bad word about you.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Rocky. Never heard a bad word about you.

I heard he consented to play for the Yankees in his declining years though....

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by JLange

Rocky Colavito cards and memorabilia are on every Cleveland collector's wantlist.

Hey, wow! Carling Black Label and Rocky Colavito!



How many cards are in that set?

[doug.goodman]

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.

He also pitched 3 innings of solid relief in a 1958 game, after hitting a double as the right fielder, he hit a triple as the pitcher.

[JCM2009]

RIP Rocco.

[JLange]

Looks Like Carling Beer produced these sets of Cleveland Indians players from 1955 to at least 1961. The sets were 10 players each, and the cards are really big at around 8-1/2” x 12” or so. Rocky appears in these sets 4 times, 1957-60. He has a different pose in 1957, then the same pose for 1958-60. Here’s 3 x same pose cards 1958-60. I have not come across any 1957s in a long time, and don’t recall seeing the Rocky for sale. The Trading Card Database has the 1957 pic though so I know it’s out there!

Originally Posted by Balticfox

Hey, wow! Carling Black Label and Rocky Colavito!


How many cards are in that set?

[carlsonjok]

In April of this year, I picked up this magazine at a show for a C-note. Unfortunately, both Mays and Colavito passed this year.