Coach Rocky Colavito met his wife, Carmen Perroti when he played for the Reading Indians.
Rocky Colavito, one of baseball’s most popular figures in the 1950s and 60s, passed away Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 91, in his longtime Berks County home after a long-term illness.
Highlights
- One of the most popular figures of baseball, Rocky Colavito, passed at 91 on December 10, 2024, due to long-term illness.
- Rocky was married to Carmen Perroti in 1954 after dating for a year. Carmen is a Berks County native and former professional dancer.
- Carmen and Rocky had three children: Marisa, Steven, and Rocco Colavito Jr.
The Cleveland Guardian’s Senior President of Public Affairs, Bob DiBiaso, poured a small tribute to Rocky. He said,
“Our collective hearts ache at the passing of Rocky,” “Rocky was a generational hero, one of the most popular players in franchise history. His popularity was evident across Northeast Ohio as sandlot ballplayers everywhere imitated Rocky’s on-deck circle routine of kneeling, then as he stepped into the batter’s box the stretching the bat over the shoulders and pointing the bat at the pitcher. I can proudly say I was one of them. Rocky loved our organization and always held the fans in the highest esteem. He would always say, ‘I am thankful God chose me to play in Cleveland.’ We send our most sincere condolences to the entire Colavito family, as well as his many teammates and other organizations impacted by his passing.”
Bob DiBiaso
Colavito spent eight of his 14 MLB seasons with Cleveland, playing for the Tigers, Athletics, White Sox, Dodgers, and Yankees.
Rocky, one of the more prolific power hitters, hit at least 30 homers in a season seven times, topping 35 five times and 40 three times.
A model of durability through his prime, Colavito played at least 160 games in five straight seasons and appeared in all 154 games before the 1959 season expanded.
After retiring in 1968, he stayed involved in baseball for several more years, working as a broadcaster and a coach.
He was the Royals’ hitting coach during the famous “pine tar game” in Yankee Stadium and was one of the Royals members to be ejected from the game on its initial date.
Rocky Colavito’s Wife, Carmen Perroti And Three Children Are Mourning His Loss
Former baseball player and coach Rocky met his wife, Carmen Perroti, a Berks County native and a former professional dancer, in 1953 while he was playing for the Reading Indians.
They married in Reading on October 30, 1954, after dating for a year.
For a wedding gift, Indians general manager Hank Greenberg gave them three tickets to Games 1 and 2 of the World Series at the Polo Grounds.
They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary earlier this year. Before getting married, Carmen used to live in a nearby temple in Pennsylvania, about 4 miles away from the center of Reading.
After marriage, Carmen wanted to live in a penthouse apartment in New York, so Colavito took her there and let her explore the apartment.
Later, they decided that the Reading area would be better for them.
Rocky and Carmen each found work with the Indians during the offseason; Rocky worked in the public relations department while Carmen worked among the clerical staff at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.
Colavito’s mother, Angelina Spofadino, had a more immediate and tangible link with Carmen. His mother and Carmen happened to be best friends, having known each other since Carmen was young.
In addition, after retirement, Rocky and his wife managed their mushroom farm in Temple, Pennsylvania.
During the interview with the Lost Ballparks podcast in 2024, Colavito talked about his wife and mother-in-law. He said,
“For me, my wife and my mother-in-law,” “You know it always pays to get in good with your mother-in-law.”
Rocky Colavito
The Cleveland Guardians are deeply saddened by the loss of Rocky Colavito. Beloved by fans, Rocky spent eight of his fourteen MLB seasons with Cleveland. He represented the club in three All-Star Games while finishing top-5 in MVP voting on three occasions.
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) December 11, 2024
Our thoughts go out… pic.twitter.com/9oB22dwb7m
Rocky and Carmen had two sons, Steven Colavito and Rocco Colavito Jr., one daughter, Marisa Colavito, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
However, Rocky has kept his family out of the media spotlight, so only limited information about their personal lives is available.
Currently, former baseball player and coach’s wife and children are mourning the tragic loss of Rocky.
Many fans and followers have condoned the Colavito family and encouraged them to stay strong during this challenging time.
Additional Information
- Rocky Colavito’s estimated net worth was around $10 million at his passing, primarily earned as a baseball player, coach, and TV sports commentator.
- Colavito was born on August 10, 1993, in The Bronx, New York, United States, to his mother, Angelina Colavito, and his father, Rocco Colavito.
- On August 11, 2015, Rocky had to have his right leg amputated below the knee due to problems with Type 2 diabetes, which he had suffered for several years.
