One of the best Italian American ball players of the 20th century, Rocky Colavito, left a legacy in Cleveland. He died this week at his home in Pennsylvania at the age of 91.

Rocky, an inductee in Cleveland’s Hall of Fame, was honored with a statue in the city’s Little Italy in 2021. Between 1955 and 1968, he hit 374 home runs for six teams and played in nine all-star games. He also led the American League in home runs in 1959 and RBI in 1965.

Colavito, a New York native who called Joe DiMaggio his favorite player growing up, is one of 18 players in Major League history to hit four homers in one game, which he did on June 10, 1959.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Rocky’s family, friends, and fans in Cleveland.