60 years ago, the Cleveland Indians traded Rocky Colavito while he was standing on first base!

[Ohiogal]

Many Tribe fans believe the Curse of Rocky Colavito’s trade has been bringing the team bad luck ever since.

*****

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio – When did Rocky Colavito find out he was traded to the Detroit Tigers?

“When I was standing on first base,” said the former Tribe star from his home in Eastern Pennsylvania.

“At first base?" I asked.

“It was right before the (1960) season,” said Colavito. “We were playing an exhibition game in Memphis. I had hit a homer earlier in the game. My next at bat, I was on first base.”

OK...

“(Tribe Manager) Joe Gordon came out of dugout,” said Colavito. “I thought he was going to take me out because it was an exhibition game.”

According to Colavito, the conversation went like this:

Gordon: “That’s the last time you’ll bat in a Cleveland uniform.”

Colavito stared at the manager.

Gordon: “You’ve been traded to Detroit for Harvey Kuenn. Good luck.”

Colavito: “Same to you.”

Colavito said he headed to the Tribe bullpen, where his good friend and roommate Herb Score was sitting.

“I’ve been traded to Detroit," Colavito told Score.

“Roomie, don’t say that,” said Score, believing Colavito was joking.

“I’ve been traded for Harvey Kuenn," said Colavito.

Colavito was in shock. Score was in shock. Cleveland was outraged at Tribe General Manager Frank Lane.

The date of the trade was April 17, 1960.....

https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2020/04/60-years-ago-the-cleveland-indians-traded-rocky-colavito-while-he-was-standing-on-first-base.html

[gibraltar72]

1. Described as hamburger for steak.

[MyOwnPeace]

2. Wow, great names!

As a kid at the time I had the baseball cards of both! What really makes the story special is that it was the year the Pirates won the World Series over the Yankees with the Mazeroski home run!

Thanks for the flash-back!

[brush]

5. The Indians were still competitive then as they had finished second in '59...

to the Go-Go White Sox. It was a bad move. They didn't get competitive again until the '90s.

[blm]

3. I saw Rocky Colavito play in Cleveland when he returned.

The Cleveland Press gave you two free tickets if you had straight A grades on your school report card.

[jaysunb]

7. Me and my sister got those free tickets.

My Dad used to take me to the Friday night homes games when they did $1.00 bleacher seats. He was trying to win the car Friedman Bro. Buick gave away.

Fond memories.

[blm]

9. Just think, we were 2 little kids there on the same day, old buddy.

Heheh
😉

[jaysunb]

10. We keep running into each other. :)

[KPN]

4. Great story. I had an awesome Rocky Colavito

bat as a kid. It was my favorite and he was one of my favorite players for many years. Even though I was a Red Sox fan from Boston’s south shore.

[dhill926]

8. had the bat as well...

it was in the day that when you got a crack in it, you put a screw in it. Lasted a good while longer....

[JDC]

6. Great baseball story

[NightWatcher]

11. Sounds like what (almost happened) to Wilmer Flores

https://www.sbnation.com/2015/7/30/9071937/carlos-gomez-trade-mets-timeline-wilmer-flores-crying-medical-issues

He was still in the game and played an hour thinking he had been traded from the only team he had played for. He got very emotional and began crying in the field after reporters jumped the gun on Twitter.

[CaptYossarian]

12. Great story.

(And thanks for Sutcliffe in '84.)

[Auggie]

13. Colavito hit 42 HRs and drove in 111 the year before he was traded

1959. How the heck do you let someone like go? Cleveland did get him back for the '65 and '66 season, and he had two solid years. But the tribe missed out on five also very solid years The Rock spent in Detroit and K.C. (Athletics)

[Ohiogal]

15. Some time in the early 90s

We went to a baseball card convention in downtown Cleveland. Rocky was there signing things. He looked really good, like he could still whack a ball. His hair was all gray, as I recall. My husband had an old baseball he got somewhere as a kid, and he asked Rocky if he could sign it. Rocky was so friendly and gracious. He marveled at the old baseball and it’s different laces. Everyone in my family have been Indians fans forever. It was such a thrill to talk to him and get his autograph.

[Auggie]

16. Great story

Thanks for sharing

[Kingofalldems]

14. He had a cannon for an arm.