Rocky Colavito’s Baseball Hall Of Fame Petition
Rocky Colavito’s Baseball Hall Of Fame Petition
The Issue
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 one of Detroit’s and Cleveland’s favorite players EVER. We 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 as 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 Baseball Hall of Fame.
Ray Beaufait
beau1943@aol.com ____________________________________________________________________________
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 Baseball 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 during this dead ball period. 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. 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.
Colavito put together MVP-worthy seasons in ’58 and ’59 before Cleveland traded him to Detroit. His bat was the best in the majors in ’58, when he hit .303 with a Major League-best .620 slugging percentage. Colavito added 41 homers with 113 RBIs and a 1.024 OPS (180 OPS+) that season.
Rocky Colavito's average OPS in his first 10 seasons (1955-1964) was .964, and his average slugging percentage was .502. All HOF qualifying numbers. He played his first 10 seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, and Kansas City Athletics. Rocky’s last two years were spent mostly as a reserve and pinch hitter. Rocky was a force to be reckoned with his first 11 years. His fan base was unbelievable during his years with Cleveland and Detroit.
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. He hit 4 consecutive HR’s in one game.
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, that threw out many going for that extra base. He also pitched and won a game pitching.
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.
At least two songs and numerous books were created honoring Rocky’s Baseball Career.
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 be enough for entry into Baseball’s Hall Of Fame.
Thank you,
Rocky Colavito’s Fan Base
Rocky Colavito website
http://beauproductions.com/rockycolavito/
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.
1
The Issue
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 one of Detroit’s and Cleveland’s favorite players EVER. We 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 as 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 Baseball Hall of Fame.
Ray Beaufait
beau1943@aol.com ____________________________________________________________________________
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 Baseball 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 during this dead ball period. 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. 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.
Colavito put together MVP-worthy seasons in ’58 and ’59 before Cleveland traded him to Detroit. His bat was the best in the majors in ’58, when he hit .303 with a Major League-best .620 slugging percentage. Colavito added 41 homers with 113 RBIs and a 1.024 OPS (180 OPS+) that season.
Rocky Colavito's average OPS in his first 10 seasons (1955-1964) was .964, and his average slugging percentage was .502. All HOF qualifying numbers. He played his first 10 seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, and Kansas City Athletics. Rocky’s last two years were spent mostly as a reserve and pinch hitter. Rocky was a force to be reckoned with his first 11 years. His fan base was unbelievable during his years with Cleveland and Detroit.
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. He hit 4 consecutive HR’s in one game.
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, that threw out many going for that extra base. He also pitched and won a game pitching.
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.
At least two songs and numerous books were created honoring Rocky’s Baseball Career.
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 be enough for entry into Baseball’s Hall Of Fame.
Thank you,
Rocky Colavito’s Fan Base
Rocky Colavito website
http://beauproductions.com/rockycolavito/
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.
1
Petition created on June 6, 2025