Rocky Colavito statue unveiling and 88th Birthday

Rocco Domenico "Rocky" Colavito Jr. (born August 10, 1933) is best known playing baseball for the Cleveland Indians in right field. In 1959, he hit four consecutive home runs in one game. In 1965, he became the first American League (AL) outfielder to play a complete season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

Rocky Colavito was an All-Star for six seasons (9 All-Star Games). 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, RBI, 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.

But Rocky is so much more than a bunch of all-star caliber achievements. He was a hero to Cleveland and every kid in little league copied the stretch and other batting nuances of #6. The fans loved Rocky and when he was unexpectedly traded to Detroit on April 17, 1960 by Indians general manager Frank Lane to the Detroit Tigers for Harvey Kuenn the fans were devastated. They missed "The Rock" and cries of Don't knock the Rock were everywhere.

The Tribe was extremely unsuccessful after the trade and it was blamed on "The Curse of Rocky Colavito" which became a book by sportswriter Terry Pluto.

In January 1965, Rocky Colavito was brought back to Cleveland from Kansas City by Indians general manager Gabe Paul.

The Cleveland fans never stopped idolizing Rocky and he had a triumphant return in August 2021 for the unveiling of a statue in his honor in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood.

The day included a lunch with a birthday cake and the packed house singing Happy Birthday to Rocky.

Happy 88th birthday Rocky Colavito

I was fortunate to be one of a handful who got to ask Rocky questions at a press conference.  I asked about the many Italian American stars in baseball. I asked who would be his all-time Italian outfield with him in right field and Joe Dimaggio in center. Off camera we talked about other positions. For example, he said while Mike Piazza was great the best Italian catcher was Yogi Berra. No contest.

The highlight of the day was the ceremony and unveiling of the statue in Little Italy.

See lots of photos and videos of Rocky Colavito ceremony

Special Food Lineup for the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Cleveland

Delaware North, the official food, beverage and retail partner of the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field, announced a lineup of new items for the MLB All- Star Game.

The menu showcases local favorites and ingredients such as Cleveland Kraut, a variety of pierogi and rich sausages.

Loaded Pierogi

On June 28, 2019 media were invited to preview the foods and ask the chef questions.

Chef Joshua Ingraham

See photos, descriptions and videos of all the new All-Star Game foods

More Cleveland foodie stuff at ClevelandCooks.com

37 Baseball Hall of Famers served in World War II led by Bob Feller

Under the umbrella of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation – the U.S. Navy, Cleveland Indians and the Baseball Heritage Museum at League Park saluted and thanked those who served during WWII. This D-Day Remembrance ceremony honored over 100 men and women of the greatest generation.

After the ceremony, Bob DiBiasio, Sr. Vice President-Public Affairs, Cleveland Indians Baseball, told about the 37 Baseball Hall of Famers who served in World War II and the story of Bob Feller who was the first to enlist.

Feller had already won 100 games and was driving to Chicago to sign a new contract.  When he heard the news of the Pearl Harbor attack on the radio he turned around and drove to an enlistment center and signed up.

Baseball Hall of Famers who served in World War II

Watch this short video with Bob DiBiasio telling about the Hall of Famers who served.

What would our modern athletes do?

Cleveland Indians 2018 season preview - What's New at Progressive Field

The American League Central Division Champion Cleveland Indians provided details about what’s new this season at Progressive Field, including the Lexus Home Plate Club, Progressive Charging Lockers, expanded safety netting, new menu items and more. 

Of course the new food and beverage items are of great interest.  How do you not like the Flamethrower or Mac Daddy Dog?

The Flamethrower (Served in Terrace Club and at Throwing Smoke, section 160) is a pork belly and pulled pork sandwich topped with bacon jam, barbecue sauce, green apple slaw and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Mac Daddy Dog is a premium jumbo all-beef hot dog, smoked bacon mac n cheese, pickled fresh jalapenos

See what's new at Cleveland Indians ballpark for 2018

Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente was an amazing baseball player and an even better human being.

When the earthquake hit Managua, Nicaragua on December 23, 1972 thousands were killed and many more homeless.  Clemente helped organize a relief effort.

On New Year's Eve he and 4 other boarded a plane for Managua with supplies to help the people. Shortly after takeoff the plane crashed into the ocean and all were killed.

In 1973, Roberto Clemente became the first Hispanic player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Making of Major League

Juuuuust a bit inside.

Jobu.

Wild Thing.

Anyone who has seen the movie Major League will instantly recognize these, and dozens of other, phrases and characters from the classic baseball movie featuring the underdog Cleveland Indians.

People from Cleveland and Milwaukee (where much was filmed) are naturally fans but to many, this is the quintessential baseball movie.

Author Jonathan Knight created the ultimate in depth look at the movie and how it was made and then the follow-up films and reactions. The book includes inside information from writer/director David Ward and producer Chris Chesser as well as all the stars (Tom Berenger, Bob Ueker, Corbin Bernsen, etc and even a foreword by Charlie Sheen.) Not to mention participants like Sister Mary Assumpta.

There are details that will appeal to film buffs - how it was approached, funded, produced, marketed, etc. Of course baseball fans will enjoy the stories of how the actors were taught proper baseball mechanics making it one of the most realistic baseball movies ever.

The author includes a lot of what he calls "Extras" that include trivia, unknown behind-the-scenes info and other tidbits that fans will eat up.

The book is thorough enough to serve as reference material but loaded with enough stories to make it a fun read.

I was at Cleveland Municipal Stadium for the big crowd filming with the helicopters and in reality it wasn't very memorable. We just sat in the stands. But the memories from the movie, now reinforced by this book, are lasting.

Just try and listen to Wild Thing or Randy Newman's Burn On without a fond memory of Major League.

There's a red moon rising on the Cuyahoga River…


Reviewed by Dan Hanson

Baseball Puzzle

Here's a puzzle to get you in the mood for the upcoming baseball season.

Let's say that for the first half of the baseball season, Nick Swisher hits for a higher batting average than Asdrubal Cabrera. During the second half of the season, Swisher again hits for a higher average than Cabrera.

Is it possible for Cabrera to have a higher average for the season as a whole?

It sure is.

The Great Lakes Geek will post a solution in a few days but think about it first. If you know how it could happen, leave a comment.