Why Cleveland Should Never Have Let Rocky Colavito Go

Rocky Colavito wasn’t just a ballplayer—he was a symbol of hope for an entire city. In this episode of Rounding Third, Peter Lemieux dives deep into the incredible rise, shocking trade, and enduring legacy of Rocky Colavito, one of Cleveland’s most beloved figures in sports history.

From launching 40+ homers to throwing absolute lasers from the outfield, Colavito had the power, the arm, and the charm. But in 1960, “Trader Frank” Lane sent him packing in one of the most infamous trades in baseball history—sparking decades of heartbreak and what some still call “The Curse of Rocky Colavito.”

📚 Plus: The wild story of his 500-foot throw, his perfect ERA, and why he still has a statue in Cleveland.

⚾ Got a childhood hero like Rocky? Tell us in the comments.

00:00 Intro

00:58 The Rise of Rocky Colavito

02:31 Rocky's Peak Performance

04:05 The Shocking Trade

07:34 Rocky's Return and Legacy

09:00 Rocky's Legendary Arm

10:36 The Curse of Rocky Colavito

12:32 Conclusion

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