Curse of Rocky Colavito

The Cleveland Indians fans consider the curse of Rocky Colavito as the result of the unsuccessful period in the club history. Indians can’t reach everything, even postseason pennant games since 1960.

The Indians sold their player Rocky Colavito to Detroit Pistons in April 1960. The Cleveland fans were outraged because these actions were part of the manager Frank Lane’s politics. He had taken one of the best 40-man rosters in the league and had traded its stars. For example, Colavito itself was the American League home run recorder in 1959. His teammate Kuenn was the batting champion of the past year. The manager explained this deal because of Colavito’s extreme popularity and inadequate salary demands.

Terry Pluto printed his book “The curse of Rocky Colavito. A loving look at a 33-year Slump” in 1994. The author suggested that this trade destroyed the motivation and opened the constant search for the new gaming formula.

He informs about the misfortunes after that. In 1965 Colavito returned to Indians but in exchange to pitcher Tommy John and outfielder Tommie Agee. This event didn’t help Indians to proceed. Some players dealt with mental or psychical illnesses: alcoholic pitcher Sam McDowell or stressful baseman Tony Horton. They were potential talents but had to quit baseball early, leaving Indians. The 1987 publication in Sports Illustrated turned the best team with 84 wins to the worst one with 101 losses during the next season. They reached the divisional series several times since 1961, but their plans to win the World Series always crashed.