Hint: #1 He is the only pitcher to lead the National League in losses for four (4!) consecutive seasons.

Hint: #2 He was the first player elected to the Hall of Fame who played for the Toronto Blue Jays.

In Memoriam question answered:

Q. Who was the first player in the Modern Era to have both a four-home-run game and a seven-hit game in his career?

Hint: #1 He was the last twentieth-century American League player to hit four homers in a game.

Hint: #2 He played a full season without a single error, the first qualifying outfielder to do so.

Hint: #3 He was standing on first base when he learned that he was the subject one of the most controversial baseball trades of his generation…

Hint: #4 …and thus became the focus of a “curse”.

Hint: #5 He was the last living participant of the Home Run Derby held at Wrigley Field.

Hint: #6 It was a former teammate who broke up his hitless innings streak.

Hint: #7 He was once suspended for charging into the stands during a game.

Hint: #8 His fine signing voice was another of his talents.

A. ROCKY COLAVITO  [SABR Bio]

– Ans. 4 HR/G for CLE = 10-Jun-1959. 7H/G for DET = 24-Jun-1962

– #1 HR X 4 = 10-Jun-1959

– #2 In 1965, Colavito played in 162 G, had 274 chances, zero (0!) errors.

– #3 On 17-Apr-1960, CLE traded HR champ Colavito to DET for batting champ Harvey Kuenn.

– #4 When the trade became public, CLE fans were outraged & called it one of the worst in Cleveland sports history, going so far as to say that it cursed the Indians, contributing to or even causing decades of struggles. He always disavowed he existence of a curse or his possible part in it.

– #5 Filmed in December 1959 in Los Angeles at the west coast’s Wrigley Field, the series aired in television syndication from 09-Jan to 02-Jul-1960. It was a precursor to the Home Run Derby held now in conjunction with the annual MLB All-Star Game. When Willie Mays died in June of 2024, Colavito became its last surviving former participant.

– #6 MLB coaches knew about his strong arm & used him twice to pitch in live games. In his 1^st outing on 13-Aug-1958(2), he tossed 3 hitless innings in relief of Hoyt Wilhelm. Then, on 25-Aug-1968(1) at Yankee Stadium, pitching on ten years’ rest, the Bronx native fulfilled a dream with 2⅓ more hitless frames against DET. After an Al Kaline double, Colavito retired Willie Horton to close the inning.  That also closed his major league pitching career with a spotless 0.00 ERA.

– #7 During the game on 12-May-1961, Colavito charged into the stands to intervene in a fight between his father and a New York fan, a “drunken bum” in Colavito’s words, who had been harassing Rocky’s wife. AL President Joe Cronin opted not to fine Colavito, saying: “It wasn’t the right thing for the boy to go up into the stands, but I guess it was natural for him to want to help his father.”

– #8 He recorded a few songs, showcasing his baritone voice.

FCR – Floyd Lapp, New City, New York