The Rocky Colavito spell refers to a period of time in Major League Baseball during the 1950s when Cleveland Indians outfielder Rocky Colavito was considered one of the most prominent power hitters in the league. Colavito's peak years were from 1956 to 1959, during which he consistently hit over 30 home runs per season. Colavito's power at the plate quickly earned him a reputation as a feared hitter. His swing was known for its sheer force and ability to send balls soaring over outfield fences. His strong throwing arm and overall athleticism also made him a valuable asset in the outfield. During the height of his career, Colavito became a fan favorite in Cleveland and gained popularity throughout the league.
It probably doesn’t hurt that he’s long known Indians manager Terry Francona. Francona’s father, Tito, and Colavito were teammates in 1959, the year Terry was born.
Colavito s issues had been with the Indians front office, but with as he called a new regime, so to speak, that relationship is better than it s been in quite awhile. Colavito - who along with Joe Altobelli are the only Indians in the game that day who remain alive - recalled the moment Gil McDougald s line drive shot back at Score.
During the height of his career, Colavito became a fan favorite in Cleveland and gained popularity throughout the league. He was a six-time All-Star, earning his first selection in 1959. He was also a three-time home run champion and led the American League in RBIs in 1959.
Rocky Colavito remembers his pal Herb Score
Rocky Colavito, top, and Herb Score are shown at their 2006 induction into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame.
(Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer)
CLEVELAND, Ohio - It was poker, not baseball, that drew Rocky Colavito and Herb Score together.
During spring training in the early 1950s in Florida, the slugging outfielder and the promising pitcher each had roommates who enjoyed a quiet game of poker. Colavito and Score did not play and so, as Colavito remembers, they all agreed on an amiable roommate switch.
Colavito and Score would become more than beloved Indians over the years. They would become best friends.
"He was more like a brother to me," Colavito recalled from his home in Pennsylvania on Saturday, the eve of the 60th anniversary of the line drive that hit Score and changed his career. "We were very close. Herbie was a great friend, and I miss him."
The two wound up rooming together "for a piece of, or all of, seven straight years," he said.
Colavito - who along with Joe Altobelli are the only Indians in the game that day who remain alive - recalled the moment Gil McDougald's line drive shot back at Score.
"I was in right field," he said. "Herbie wound up. In those days they didn't have that much of a windup. I knew it was a fast ball, down and away in the strike zone, and I remember McDougald hitting it. I knew it was up the middle; I was trying to watch the flight of the ball. And I looked really quick to center field. When I didn't see the ball, I lost it. . I snapped my head to the left and saw Herbie toppling over in that folded-up position. I lit out for the mound.
"He was laying there. I put my glove under his head and started comforting him some. I knew he got hit right around the eye.
"I can't tell you how bad I felt. Then they took him away on a stretcher, and of course the game went on. I couldn't wait for the inning to end so I could go up to the clubhouse."
Rocky Colavito in 1958. He hit .267 in his eight seasons as an Indian.
Colavito remembers the long route to the clubhouse, and the second the final out was made in the inning, he ran as fast as he could, up the runway and down steps. He found his buddy on the training table. Score saw him and replied:
" 'What the hell are you doing here?' I'll never forget that."
He told Score he was all right. The pitcher, Colavito said, "never made any excuses."
" 'I'm all right' - sure, this guy took a God-knows-how-many-miles-an-hour pitch in the eye."
Colavito, 83, draws the same analogy that Bob Feller did when talking about Score, mentioning Sandy Koufax. But it was Score who won 36 games his first two years, while Colavito accurately remembers that Koufax was 27, in his ninth season, before he topped 20 for the first time.
But it isn't just the statistics, or the promise Score showed, that Colavito recalls fondly. It was a friendship.
They played together in Indianapolis, in the American Association, where Score went 22-5 and Colavito says the losses were one-run games. They were in Reading in the Eastern League, where Colavito met the woman who would become his wife. And they once bought a car together, "a little business coupe," Colavito said. They called it "The Black Demon."
"He didn't drive, but I did," Colavito said. "I taught him how to drive in that car. That was fun."
Now, Colavito is blessed with memories of the eight years he wore an Indians uniform. Of the team he played for when he slammed 190 of his 374 career home runs. And of his friend, who died in 2008.
"I love Cleveland, I love the people in Cleveland, they've been wonderful to me and I always will," he said. "That will never change, even though I played for the Yankees and I am from the Bronx, and I was always a Yankees fan (growing up). But my favorite place to play was Cleveland. They took to me, and I took to them."
But at the root of his time with Cleveland is a strong bond, a friendship, two players of the same age who came up at the same time. He said he once told Nancy Score, Herb's wife, the two got along almost perfectly.
"We never had a harsh word in all those years," he said. "We didn't always agree, but we never had a harsh word.
"We respected one another's opinion."
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Despite his immense talent and success, Colavito's time in Cleveland was plagued by controversy. In one of the most surprising moves in baseball history, the Indians traded Colavito to the Detroit Tigers after the 1959 season. This trade was met with outrage from Cleveland fans, who saw Colavito as the face of their team. The trade is often referred to as the "Curse of Rocky Colavito" or the "Rocky Colavito spell" because it seemed to cast bad luck on the Indians for years to come. The team struggled after Colavito's departure, prompting fans to blame the trade for the team's woes. Interestingly, Colavito's trade was not the only instance of the "spell" affecting the Indians. In subsequent years, the team traded away or released several star players who went on to have successful careers with other teams. This further fueled the belief that there was a curse associated with Colavito's departure. Despite the belief in the curse, the Indians eventually found success again in the 1990s and 2000s, making it to the World Series multiple times and producing several star players. However, the "spell" surrounding Colavito's departure remains a lasting part of Cleveland Indians lore. Overall, the Rocky Colavito spell represents a period of triumph and controversy in Major League Baseball history. Colavito's incredible power at the plate and subsequent trade to the Tigers left a lasting impact on the Indians and their fans, creating a narrative of a curse that still resonates today..
Reviews for "Rocky Colavito's Spell: A Heroic Feat in Sports History"
1. Mark - 2 stars
I found "Rocky colavito spell" to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The writing style also did not engage me, as it often felt rushed and lacking in detail. Overall, I struggled to connect with the story and found myself losing interest as I read on. I would not recommend this book to others looking for a captivating and well-written novel.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "Rocky colavito spell". The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it hard to follow and comprehend. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them or care about their journey. Additionally, the writing style was bland and lacked creativity, making the story dull and uninteresting. Overall, I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to others.
3. Michael - 2.5 stars
"Rocky colavito spell" was a letdown for me. The story had potential, but it fell short in execution. The pacing was inconsistent, with certain parts dragging on while others jumped too quickly. The characters were not well-developed, making it hard to invest in their stories or care about their outcomes. There were also several plot holes and unanswered questions, leaving me unsatisfied with the overall reading experience. I was hoping for more from this book, but unfortunately, it did not deliver.
4. Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Rocky colavito spell" but found it to be quite underwhelming. The writing style was choppy and disjointed, making it hard to follow the storyline. The characters were not relatable and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. The pacing was also off, with some parts moving too quickly while others dragged on unnecessarily. Overall, I was unimpressed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
5. John - 1.5 stars
"Rocky colavito spell" was a letdown from start to finish. The story was predictable and lacked originality, feeling like a rehashed version of countless other books in the same genre. The characters were flat and uninteresting, with no growth or depth throughout the plot. The writing style was also lackluster, failing to captivate me or engage my interest. Overall, I found this book to be a forgettable read and would not recommend it.