Cleveland Guardians announce that baseball legend Rocky Colavito has died peacefully at home in Bernville, Pennsylvania. He was 91 years old and had family present.
Born in The Bronx in 1933, Colavito signed with the Cleve Indians after a tryout at Yankee Stadium when he was just 17 years old. He spent more than eight stellar seasons with the team to become one of the best franchise players, and at Cleveland, Colavito hit 190 home runs, 574 runs batted in, and had 851 hits throughout his stint, entertaining many fans in his powerful swinging and memorable on-deck routine inspiring many young kids.
Rocky was a generational hero, beloved by fans across Northeast Ohio,” said Bob DiBiasio, Guardians Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. “His passion for the game and admiration for Cleve’s fans were unparalleled. He would often say, ‘I am thankful God chose me to play in Cleveland.’
His impact went well beyond the time he spent on the playing field. He would eventually spend some time as a television analyst, and later he ended up joining Cleve’s coaching staff. He was enshrined in the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame in 2006 for his efforts.
A statue commemorating Colavito was unveiled in Tony Brush Park in Little Italy on his 88th birthday in 2021 to solidify his place in Clevelanders’ hearts.
He was a six-time All-Star and spent time with the Detroit and New York teams during his 14-year MLB career. Colavito retired with 374 home runs and many awards, including three top-five shows in MVP voting.
Cleveland Guardians: “We are saddened by Colavito’s passing. He was a legend who transcended generations. Our thoughts are with his family and friends in this difficult time.”
The legacy that Colavito has presented for the games can be inspirational for generations of baseball fans and players.
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