"Had Rocky Colavito played in New York, he’d be in the HOF" - Fans mourn legendary MLB star's death at 91

Cleveland Guardians legend Rocky Colavito died on Tuesday at the age of 91 in the comfort of his home and surrounded by his family. Colavito has marked his legacy in baseball, with numerous accolades attached to his name.

Colavito was the star slugger for the Cleveland Indians for eight seasons during his 14-year-long career. He was named an All-Star three times with Cleveland and nine times overall. He hit at least 20 home runs every season for 11 straight years and finished with 374 homers, which is 81st all-time.

The fans were devastated to hear the news of the legend's demise, and many questioned his absence from the Hall of Fame. However, Rocky Colavito was inducted into the Cleveland Guardians' Hall of Fame back in 2006.

"Had he played in New York, he’d be in the HOF," one fan wrote.

"Arguably the best baseball player not in the HOF. Don’t Knock the Rock. RIP," one fan stated.

Another fan put Colavito in the same sentence as Yankees great and Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle.

"Growing up in the last 50's/early 60's, the two players I wanted to go see were Mantle and Rocky Colavito," one fan mentioned.

Other fans also shared their memories of the legend.

"I remember standing in line to get his autograph. He would sign for every kid in line," one fan recalled.

"The first baseball I ever attended at Yankee Stadium, Rocky hit a HR. I’ll never forget it," one fan remarked.

"My first favorite player. I wore his number, did the whole back stretch move with my bat. A classy man. May he rest in peace," one fan said.

Guardians Senior Vice President/Public Affairs reacts to Rocky Colavito's death

Guardians Senior Vice President/Public Affairs Bob DiBiasio issued a statement on Rocky Colavito's death.

"Our collective hearts ache at the passing of Rocky," DiBiasio said. "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," he added.

Right before the 1951 season, Rocky Colavito signed with the Cleveland Indians at the age of 17. He made his debut in the major league in September 1955. The nine-time All-Star played with Cleveland until 1960 when he was traded to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Harvey Kuenn.

After completing his four-year tenure with the Tigers, he played for the Chicago White Sox for one season and was reacquired by Cleveland in 1965, where he spent another two and a half seasons of his career.

Three years ago in August 2021, on his 88th birthday, a statue was built in Little Italy’s Tony Brush Park to honor the legacy of Rocky Colavito.