Colavito and the Feast

David Deming. Rocky Colavito. 2021. Cleveland.

Yesterday, on Rocky Colavito's 88th birthday a dedication party was held for him and his new statue. Since Colavito played for the Indians, it is hard to make an argument that any player since has been so liked by Clevelanders. 

Frank "Trader" Lane was general manager for several teams. In seven years for the Chicago White Sox, he made 241 trades. He caused havoc in his several stops. For Cleveland he traded away Colavito to Detroit for Harvey Kuenn in April 1960. Cleveland was not pleased. In December Kuenn was sent to San Francisco. In January, Lane left. Lane earlier in St. Louis tried to trade Stan Musial, when it became public, the team's owner intervened. Lane, apparently, was not interested in fan appeal. Colavito still had good years, he played for five other teams. No where was he appreciated as much as in Cleveland. He would play for Cleveland once more, coach for Cleveland, and speak during televised games.

Cleveland baseball park has several statues of retired ball players. One for Colavito was not accepted, he is not in Cooperstown's Hall of Fame. The statue joins Christopher Columbus in Tony Brush Park, on Mayfield and Random. Bedford has a statue of Elmer Flick[click], he was from there and played for Cleveland before they were Indians.

fire escape at former Chiesa San Giovanni

Cleveland's biggest church festival is that of the Assumption of Mary celebrated at Holy Rosary. John has Karma (in a shirt), and Cassius.  All three sites are very near each other.