April 16, 2025

ROCKY COLAVITO BELONGS IN BASEBALL’S HALL OF FAME

Rocky Colavito was my favorite Major League ball player as a youth. I actually thought Colavito was already inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame years ago. Even today Colavito is Cleveland’s favorite player EVER. I can’t believe Colavito was overlooked by Baseball's Hall Of Fame..

Dave Parker and Dick Allen were just recently voted into the Baseball HOF. Rocky’s career numbers are as good, if not better, than both of these great players. The Era Committee needs to look closely at Colavito’s career stats and the huge numbers of fan support Colavito has even today, 50 years plus after his retirement.

Rocky Colavito fans all over the country are uniting to appeal to the Era Committee (Formerly the Veteran's Committee) of the Hall of Fame to recognize Rocky for induction into the Hall. Please sign this petition (at the right) to the Era Committee to help get Rocky in the BaseHall of Fame.
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WE, the undersigned, believe that Rocky Colavito deserves to be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. We believe his records are consistent with the criteria established by the Era Committee of the National Hall of Fame.

In discussions of the greats of his era, the Colavito name is mentioned in the first breath of power hitters: Mantle, Mays, Killebrew, Aaron, Mathews, COLAVITO, Banks, McCovey, Frank Robinson, Duke Snider, Ted Williams, Musial and Yastrzemski. All of these players are Hall of Famers -- EXCEPT Rocky Colavito!

Colavito was a nine-time All-Star. He is the fifth player in the history of the AL to have eleven consecutive 20-home run seasons (1956–1966). During that span, he exceeded 40 home runs three times and 100 runs batted in, six times. He also led the AL in home runs, runs batted in, and slugging average once each. Colavito ranked third among AL right-handed hitters for home runs (371) and eighth for AL games played at right field (1272), at the end of his MLB playing career in 1968.

From 1958 thru 1962.. 5 year sequence.. he hit 200 home runs, the MOST in Major League Baseball during this five year sequence. That feat alone should have got Colavito serious consideration for the Hall Of Fame. He beat out Aaron, Mays, Mantle, Mathews and Banks... all in their prime, all HOF members, and all about the same age.

Probably the most telling statistic is his career OPS (on-base percentage + slugging average) compared to players already in the Hall of Fame whose careers overlapped with Colavito's and with the 2008 HOF nominees: Colavito ranks 17th when added to the list of 35 already Hall members of his era. He also ranks ahead of Reggie Jackson, Carl Yastrzemski and Roberto Clemente. Colavito ranks 2nd when applied to the list of 2008 Hall candidates. Rocky was in the top 5 in MVP voting three years. The following is also why Rocky Colavito belongs in the HOF.

Hall Of Fame member’s OPS average is .837, whereas Rocky’s lifetime OPS average was .848.

Rocky Colavito hit 374 career HR’s, whereas HOF members averaged 225.

Hall Of Fame members averaged 1203 RBI’s, whereas Rocky’s total is 1159.

Hall Of Fame member’s SLG average is .468, whereas Rocky’s lifetime SLG average is .489.

Rocky possessed arguably the strongest arm of any right fielder of his time. Few runners dared to attempt to stretch hits or advance to 3rd on him. Rocky Colavito shares the MLB record for the highest fielding percentage by an outfielder in a season (1.000), which he achieved in 1965.

While known for his offensive power, Colavito also had a strong fielding record, particularly as a right fielder. Rocky Colavito threw out 16 runners on the bases in one season. He also had an average of 11 runners thrown out per year throughout his career, contributing to his strong defensive performance.

Here's a more detailed look at his fielding achievements:

Perfect Fielding Percentage: In 1965, Colavito played a perfect season in the outfield, with a fielding percentage of 1.000.

Strong Arm: Colavito was known for his powerful arm, which was feared by runners.

Defensive Contributions: He led the league in putouts five times, in range four times, in fielding runs three times, and in assists twice.

His popularity with fans continues as evidenced by the strong reception he receives whenever he appears in public. Colavito memorabilia remains in demand often outselling many Hall of Fame members' items and his accomplishments are still cited by the press.

In 1976, Rocky was voted the most memorable personality in Cleveland Indians' history. He was elected to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and inducted into the Cleveland Indians' Hall of Fame in 2006.

In 2021 a statue of Rocky Colavito was created in Cleveland, Ohio honoring his career and accomplishments. For these and many more reasons, we encourage you to select and enshrine Rocky Colavito, an exceptional, gifted, and deserving man, into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Colavito died from type 2 diabetes at his home in Bernville, Pennsylvania, on December 10, 2024, at the age of 91.

We believe Rocky’s career stats warrant his entry into the HOF… he is a Cleveland legend and household name in Ohio and Michigan … everyone loved The Rock and his career totals and results should have been enough for entry into Baseball’s Hall Of Fame. Please sign the petition on the right

Rocky Colavito website

http://beauproductions.com/rockycolavito/———————————————————————————
More highlights of Colavito's amazing career:

Rocky Colavito, Indianapolis Indians Minor League Team

Rocky Colavito's time with the Indianapolis Indians was a significant part of his career. In 1954, playing for the Indianapolis Indians, he hit 38 home runs and drove in 116 runs, setting a club record for most home runs in a season that still stands. He led the tribe to The 1954 American Association title as well as becoming that league’s most valuable player. He was a key contributor to the team and was remembered as a great player by our fans in the last 75 years.

Transition to Major League: After his successful stint with Indianapolis, Colavito continued to excel in the Major Leagues, playing for the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Yankees.

Major Leagues

1956: Rocky clouted 21 HRs, 65 RBIs, 55 runs scored, a Slugging Average of .531 and an OPS of .903 in just 322 At Bats! Rocky finished 2nd in the Rookie of the Year vote.

1957: Rocky collected 25 HRS (6th in AL), 84 RBIs (10th in AL), 51 Extra-Base Hits (7th in AL) and recorded a Slugging Average of .471 (9th in AL). He recorded 7 Sacrifice Flies (5th in AL) while his At Bats per HR mark was 18.4 (5th in AL).

1958: Hit .303 BA, 41 HR, 113 RBI to finish just 1 behind Mickey Mantle for HR lead and finished 3rd in MVP voting. His .620 Slugging Average led the AL and was the highest for an Indians hitter for 36 years until 1994. Rocky lead the AL in extra-base hits with 70. He produced a phenomenal OPS average of 1.025.

1959: Hit .257 BA, 42 HR, 111 RBI to finish 4th in MVP voting. His 42 HRs earned him the AL HR Title. He became the first Indian to amass back-to-back 40 HR seasons (41/42). He led the AL in Total Bases with 301 and in extra-base hits with 66. He became an AL All-Star for the first of six times. 1959: Rocky became only the 8th Major Leaguer to hit 4 HRs in one game on June 10, 1959 in Baltimore. This was only the 3rd time that a Major Leaguer hit them in four consecutive at bats.

1960: Rocky was one of only 17 Major League HR hitters to be chosen to appear on Home Run Derby. On April 17th, in the most controversial trades to this day. Rocky was traded to Detroit for Harvey Kuenn; the AL HR Champion for the AL Batting Champion. Rocky went on to hit 35 HRs and knock in 87 RBIs while batting .249 for the Tigers.

1961: 45 HR, 140 RBIs, 113 Walks, 338 Total Bases, and .982 OPS. Colavito, Kaline and Cash led the Tigers offense to finish second with a 101-61 W/L record. Rocky was chosen as an All-Star for the second time.

1962: 37 HRs and 112 RBIs and a .514 Slugging Average. He lead the AL for the second time in Total Bases with 309 and was chosen for the AL All-Star team for the third time.

1963: Rocky hit 22 HRs and 87 RBIs while hitting .271 BA. Rocky was dealt to the KC Athletics in the off-season.

1964: Rocky hit .274 and collected 31 doubles, 34 HRs and 102 RBIs with a .507 Slugging Average. Selected for the AL All-Star team for the fourth time.

1965: On January 20th, Cleveland made a 3-team trade to get Rocky Colavito back in an Indians uniform. He hit for a solid .287 BA with 26 HRs and was the AL RBI Champion knocking in 108 and became the first AL outfielder in history to complete a perfect 1.000 fielding average season. He finished 5th in MVP voting and was chosen for the AL All-Stars for the fifth time.

1966: His BA fell to .238 but still he produced 30 HRs and 72 RBIs. He ranked in the AL top ten for HRs (6th) and Walks (7th), and was selected to the American League All-Star team for the sixth time.

1967: Rocky started the year with the Indians but was traded to the Chicago White Sox on July 29th. Colavito's numbers dropped in a limited role with Chicago.

1968: Rocky was acquired in the off-season by the Los Angeles Dodgers and served in a limited role. On July 11th, the Dodgers released him. On July 15th, he was signed as a free agent by his boyhood favorite team, the New York Yankees.

For all of the reasons above and Colavito being one of the most popular players in the history of Baseball, Rocky Colavito deserves to be inducted into the Baseball’s Hall Of Fame. Please sign the petition on the right