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This site is dedicated
to baseball great, Rocky Colavito.
Forty-two years after his retirement
from Major League Baseball, Rocky remains a fan favorite, even to some too young to have ever seen him play.
Not many players, past or present, invoke the memories and positive feelings Rocky's name continues to spark.
As though it was yesterday, details of Rocky's accomplishments are embedded in the memory of his
fans. Rocky's name continues to pop up on sports pages, particularly as a vehicle of comparison in
today's baseball highlights.
Many avid baseball fans assume that Rocky is already in
the Hall of Fame and are shocked when they learn that this is not the case.
For years, a group of us have watched the Hall of Fame lists come out
and for years, we've done little but moan, groan, complain, and cry because our favorite player, Rocky Colavito, was bypassed.
On September 16, 2008, when that preliminary list was released, Rocky
once again didn't make the cut. A few of us emailed our displeasure to the Veteran's Committee of the Hall of
Fame. We all received polite responses indicating he would again be eligible for consideration in 2010.
We
are dedicated to doing whatever is possible to make baseball fans, and especially Rocky fans, aware that Rocky will be
eligible for consideration again in 2010 for induction in 2011. A strong and united
fan campaign may be just what is needed to convince the Veteran's Committee that Rocky deserves their serious consideration.
Another purpose of this site is for fans to gather, share stories, and review the convincing facts and figures
that prompt this campaign. Rocky was, and still is, an example of more than hits, homeruns, and RBI's.
He has always shown appreciation to his fans and been loyal to his family, friends, and himself. A true testimony to
this man is the respect and admiration his values and example continue to invoke.
Please add your
signature to the Petition. Maybe, just maybe, we can get the Committee's favorable attention and Rocky Colavito
will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
Mostly though ... come in, spend some time, and
have fun!
After all, isn't that what baseball is about?
Please sign the Petition and pass it on to baseball fans everywhere: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/rockycolavitofans(Editor's note: There is no donation requirement to sign the Petition.
The (free) Petition site defaults to a 'request for contribution' page after a signature is tallied. To bypass
this page, click the back arrow on your browser to return to the Petition page. You can then click on the tab that brings
up the form to send to friends in support of the Petition.)
April
17, 2010 marked 50 years since "The Trade." Detroit reporter, Bill Dow, interviewed Rocky by phone.
This interview appeared in Bill's story in the April 18, 2010 print edition of the Detroit Free Press ...
"Catching up with Tigers great Rocky Colavito"
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In his Sunday, May 2, 2010 column, Terry Pluto made mention of this website and
gave Rocky fans a 'heads up' on our campaign.
He
wrote:
About Rocky Colavito ...
Dan Miller emailed to say Rocky Colavito
fans may be interested in this:
"There is a Web site (rockycolavitofans.com) dedicated to Rocky.
"It has launched an effort to get Rocky into the Hall of Fame through the Veteran's Committee. Included in the
statistics is a chart of what we think is the ultimate comparison: OPS -- on-base percentage plus slugging average.
"Rocky falls dead in the middle at 17 of a list of 36 Hall of Fame members that were his contemporaries. Unbelievably,
Rocky finished ahead of Reggie Jackson, Carl Yastrzemski and Roberto Clemente. There is a petition included on the
Web site and listed along the left side of the home page."
Thanks,
Terry ... your column has already generated some new signatures on the Petition!
(5-3-10)
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"... Arguably one of the greatest
players of his era, he performed deeds that thrilled a generation of American League fans, including a game where he hit four
home runs that cemented his reputation as one of the game’s top sluggers...." from the May 7, 2010
feature story of Sports Collectors Digest by Editor, Thomas O'Connell.
A summary
of that story, Hobby Royalty Remembers Rocky Colavito appears online.
05-14-2010
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Synchronicity?
Coincidence?
However differently
the causality is interpreted, the name of Rocky Colavito continues to be mentioned in the news, on the web, at backyard
barbeques ... you name it.
In his column, "Since your brought it up: Rocky Colavito" sports writer, Ron
Kaplan, reflects: "......Given the current state of affairs re: HoF candidates, in which contemporary players such as McGuire, Sosa, Palmiero,
Clemens, et al are under a cloud of suspicion, is it time to reconsider some of those older players who just missed the
cut?..." (Ron
Kaplan's Baseball Bookshelf)
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Strike Zone a
Factor?
In his book, “Banned in the Bronx”, author Gene Hutmaker makes this astute observation as to one possible reason Rocky is
not in Cooperstown: “As 1968 was in the book, something had to be done about the pitching dominance of the game. In
1969, the strike zone was reduced to its pre-1963 dimensions and the height of the mound would be lowered.
This
enlarged K-zone era 1963 - 1968 adversely affected the career stats of Famers Say Hey, the Hammer, Mick, Brooks and Frank
Robinson, Kaline, Clemente, Yaz, Cepeda, Brock, McCovey, Banks, Killebrew, Billy Williams, etc. (and Rose).
Also quality hitters such as Vada Pinson, Ron Santo, Ken Boyer, Dick
Allen, Boog Powell, Curt Flood, Frank Howard, Tony Oliva and Rocky Colavito had their stats suffer somewhat
because of playing during the era of the bigger strike zone.
This also decreased these players’ chances
for a plaque in Cooperstown."
05-09-10
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New on Facebook: "Rocky Colavito deserves to be in the Hall of Fame". Join this Group and help get the word out on the Petition and campaign.
Coming soon: How to contact the members of
Veterans Committee of the Hall of Fame by mail to personally appeal for Rocky's recognition on the 2010 ballot.
In late July and early August, we intend to write individual
letters to the 68 members of the HOF Veterans Committee. The Communications Department of the HOF will assist by
forwarding our letters to the members of the Veterans Committee.
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