Remembering Rocky Colavito

Rocky Colavito, slugged 374 home runs including 4 in consecutive at bats in one game as a Tigers’ player at Baltimore in 1959, died days back and leaves some unique memories.

First let’s emphasize Rocky was a true slugging star and there is still big regret and anger among Indians, now the Guardians’ fans, that the slugger Rocky was dealt for the superb hitter-sans power– Harvey Kuenn and the title drought, the Curse of Rocky Colavito, remains part of the Guardians nee Indians fabric, as though the beautiful garb the “originals” have often made.

Next one you Yankees fans of a certain age remember. Mickey Mantle and Rocky, who combined to hit 910 home runs, all but 3 the American League, each played their last game,at venerable Fenway Park on Saturday September 28, 1968–each sitting out the Sunday last “reg” game, a scheduling occurrence that repeated this year.

One fine day (Sunday August 25, 1968) for a Yankees team going nowhere, Colavito came in to pitch, the Yankees trailing the eventual World Series winning and at that point run away A.L. leaders which for the last time granted a W.S. appearance, (5-0) in the first game of a doubleheader.

It was the 4th inning and Rocky retired Al Kaline and Willie Horton with runners on. He pitched a scoreless 5th and 6th inning and when the Yankees rallied for 5 runs, down (5-1) bottom 6 and held on, Colavito, who scored the game’s last and decisive run in that 6th, was credited with the win.

I will not cite names, however, I did meet a Rocky relative and she and I did date. One night I took her to “Hockey Bob,” whose Bronx Walton Avenue small apartment “showcased” some roaches running up the wall.

I doubt she was impressed and to add, “Bob” who probably lost a bet or two re Rocky, cited he doing his calestenics pre at bat (another nice memory for most) and then hitting a weak groundball out. It happens.

However, I would like to believe that somehow Bob and Rocky will meet in a better place and with Bob citing players such as Colavito, part of the reason that baseball then, was so glorious.

First of all there were no creepy last words!

In addition, say 2:52 into this, a female voice (so called A.I. ?) pronouncing “Tigs” great, Al Kaline, as though a battery brand, makes it sound as though his remarks, all positive regarding Rocky, happened this week when Rocky died.

That would be quite a trick as Al KAY LINE (Al Kaline), died some years back. Also Terry Francona is not the team’s current manager. “Anywho” some nice photos are present.

A much better video remembering Rocky and some great trivia from Wikipedia and me.

The great broadcaster, Curt Gowdy in his 15th and final season as a Red Sox broadcaster (maybe it is considered 14 as he missed 1957) is not too excited but still more than professional, calling Rocky’s HR off Red Sox hurler, Dave Morehead on May 22, 1965.

Later that season and I would love to contact Mr. Morehead (but how?) and others similar, on Thursday September 16th, in a day game at “Fenway,” Moorehead hurled a no hit game vs the Indians.

One week earlier Sandy Koufax in an incredible pitched game by both he and the Cubs’ Bob Hendley, had pitched a perfect game.

Moorehead’s only not perfect result was a walk to, you guessed it, Rocky Colavito!!