Rocky Colavito

Book excerpt:  Iconic ballplayer Rocky Colavito captivated fans during the 1950s and 1960s with his movie-star looks, boyish enthusiasm, powerful bat and cannon-like arm. This biography of "the Rock"--the first in more than half a century--recounts his origins in an Italian immigrant family, his close friendships with Herb Score and Roger Maris, and his rise through the minors to become one of the Cleveland Indians' most beloved players--who retired with the third most home runs by a right-handed AL batter. The author also examines the controversial trade that sent Colavito, the AL's 1959 home run champion, to the Detroit Tigers for batting champion Harvey Kuenn. Colavito's departure was a crushing blow to Indians fans and the team's subsequent 34-year slump was dubbed "the Curse of Colavito."