Baseball
Related: About this forum60 years ago, the Cleveland Indians traded Rocky Colavito while he was standing on first base!
Many Tribe fans believe the Curse of Rocky Colavitos trade has been bringing the team bad luck ever since.
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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: Thats the last time youll bat in a Cleveland uniform.
Colavito stared at the manager.
Gordon: Youve 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.
Ive been traded to Detroit," Colavito told Score.
Roomie, dont say that, said Score, believing Colavito was joking.
Ive 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
(7,629 posts)MyOwnPeace
(17,275 posts)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
(57,599 posts)to the Go-Go White Sox. It was a bad move. They didn't get competitive again until the '90s.
blm
(113,822 posts)The Cleveland Press gave you two free tickets if you had straight A grades on your school report card.
jaysunb
(11,856 posts)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
(113,822 posts)Heheh
😉
jaysunb
(11,856 posts)KPN
(16,111 posts)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 Bostons south shore.
dhill926
(16,953 posts)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
(10,490 posts)NightWatcher
(39,358 posts)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
(6,448 posts)(And thanks for Sutcliffe in '84.)
Auggie
(31,803 posts)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
(34,767 posts)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 its 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
(31,803 posts)Thanks for sharing