Rocky Colavito played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from 1955 to 1968, most prominently as a member of the Cleveland Indians where, he established himself as a fan favorite for his powerful hitting and his strong throwing arm.
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Nine-time All-Star player, Colavito averaged 33 home runs per year for his first 11 seasons, exceeding 40 home runs three times and 100 runs batted in six times.
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Rocky Colavito is the fifth player in the history of the American League to have eleven consecutive 20 home run seasons.
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Rocky Colavito was the first outfielder in AL history to complete a season without making an error.
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At the time of his retirement in 1968, Rocky Colavito ranked third among AL right-handed hitters for home runs and eighth for AL games played as a right fielder.
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In 2001, Rocky Colavito was voted one of the 100 greatest players in Cleveland Indians' history by a panel of veteran baseball writers, executives and historians.
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Rocky Colavito was inducted into the Cleveland Guardians Hall of Fame in 2006.
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Rocky Colavito was born and raised in The Bronx where he became a devoted New York Yankees fan, particularly of Joe DiMaggio.
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In 1954, Rocky Colavito hit 38 home runs and accumulated 116 RBIs for the minor league baseball team, Indianapolis Indians.
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Rocky Colavito made his MLB debut on September 10,1955 for the Cleveland Indians wearing number 38.
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In 1959, Rocky Colavito hit 42 home runs and became the first Indians player to have two consecutive 40-HR seasons; he tied Harmon Killebrew for the AL lead that season and was the AL leader in extra-base hits and total bases.
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Rocky Colavito was selected for both of the All-Star Games held for the first time that season and homered in Game 2.
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Rocky Colavito would hit 30-plus home runs for seven seasons, establishing himself as a major power hitter.
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Rocky Colavito was an excellent outfielder with a very strong arm despite being flat-footed.
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Rocky Colavito was easily the Cleveland fans' favorite, with his handsome appearance and approachability, always accommodating the hundreds of Indians autograph seekers after each game even if it took a few hours.
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Rocky Colavito was placed in right field because of his strong throwing arm, moving Al Kaline to center field that season.
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Rocky Colavito was switched from right field to left field for the Tigers, and Kaline was established in right field.
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Rocky Colavito was selected for both All-Star Games again and homered in Game 2.
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On May 12,1961, Rocky Colavito was ejected from a game with the Yankees in New York after climbing into the stands which was against MLB rules, to go after a drunken Yankee fan who had been scuffling with his older father there after the fan started harassing Rocky Colavito's wife.
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Rocky Colavito drew the local fans' criticism by holding out for a higher 1962 salary than established team star Al Kaline.
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Rocky Colavito was selected for both All-Star Games for the third time and homered in Game 2.
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In November 1963, Rocky Colavito was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Kansas City Athletics.
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In January 1965, Rocky Colavito was brought back to Cleveland from Kansas City by Indians general manager Gabe Paul, by a three-team trade.
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Rocky Colavito finished among the league's top five players in home runs, hits, and runs.
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Rocky Colavito played in all of Cleveland's 162 games without committing an error, but did not win one of the three AL Gold Glove Awards for an outfielder.
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Rocky Colavito received a $55,000 and $57,000 salary from Cleveland, the highest given to an Indians' team player during those two years.
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In 60 games for the White Sox that season, Rocky Colavito managed to get 42 hits with 3 home runs and 29 RBI.
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Rocky Colavito hit 3 home runs for the Dodgers in his National League debut, and batted.
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On July 15,1968, Rocky Colavito was signed as a free agent by the New York Yankees, the last team and season of his 14-year MLB playing career.
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Rocky Colavito got 20 hits including 5 home runs in 39 games played for the Yankees.
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Rocky Colavito was released by the Yankees on September 30,1968 and retired as a player.
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Rocky Colavito was hired by the Cleveland Indians as a broadcaster on WJW-TV for the 1972 season.
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Rocky Colavito was a first base coach for the Indians during the 1973 season, broadcaster during the 1975 season, hitting coach and broadcaster during the 1976 season, and first base coach during the 1977 and 1978 seasons.
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Rocky Colavito was a hitting coach for the Kansas City Royals during the 1982 and 1983 seasons.
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Rocky Colavito was involved in the 1983 pine tar game and was ejected for arguing the umpires' decision to negate George Brett's home run and call him out, which would have given the Yankees the win; the decision was later overturned, the game was resumed a month later with the Royals in the lead as the result of Brett's home run, and the Royals won the game.
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Rocky Colavito was one of the most popular power hitters and outfielders of his time with one of the best throwing arms in baseball.
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In 1976, Rocky Colavito was voted the most memorable personality in Indians history.
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In 2001, Rocky Colavito received a huge ovation at the introduction of the Indians' All-Century team.
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Rocky Colavito suggested, that the trade in 1965 to bring Colavito back to the Indians was just as bad as the one that had sent him away.
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