January 17, 2025 • 39 mins
Catcher Austin Hedges is back for another season in Cleveland, he joins the show to talk about his decision to return, and expectations for 2025. Plus, Guardians Senior VP of Public Affairs Bob DiBiasio remembers the legendary life and times of Rocky Colavito. That's all on this edition of Guardians Weekly with Jim Rosenhaus on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Hi everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly Humors in house along
with you as we continue with our hot stove shows,
hopefully warming you up a bit during what has been
I can't some more typical Northeast Ohio winter after a
couple of mild ones the last few years. But man,
we're getting winner now and that always makes the start
(01:17):
of spring training and baseball season right around the corner
that much more something to look forward to for sure.
Good show lined up for you today. In just a
little bit, we will hear from Senior Vice President Bob D.
Biassio with a look back of the life and times
of the great Rocky Colavito, who passed away this past December,
(01:39):
arguably one of the most popular Cleveland Indians ever in
franchise history. And Bobby D. Will have some great memories
and a look back at the life and times of
the rock and certainly gone but not forgotten and never
will be in Cleveland baseball history. With the weather being
what it is, we've decided to air an interview that
(02:01):
we did a little while back, and we'll air for
the first time today. Austin Hedges, who re signed with
the Guardians to be part of their catching corps for
the coming season, will join us. There's no one better
when the weather stinks and you're looking forward to baseball
than talking to Austin Hedges, and we'll have that interview
in just a little bit. First couple of news and notes,
(02:21):
though some good things happening on the report date front.
We have the official dates now for when things will
begin out in goodyear at spring training. February the eleventh
is when pitchers and catchers officially report. The full squad
reports on February sixteenth, with their first full squad workout
(02:42):
on February the eighteenth, and later that week, Saturday the
twenty second, the Cactus League opener between the Guardians and
the Cincinnati reds Now being led by Terry Francona. That'll
be a three zero five first pitch, and of course
you can hear that game right here the Cleveland Clinic
Guardians Radio Network. So a lot to look forward to
(03:04):
coming up, and a lot to look forward to after
the break, as will be joined by Austin Hedges, who
re signed with Cleveland this past fall after a solid season.
Again and no coincidence, the two seasons that Hedges has
played for the Guardians twenty twenty two and twenty twenty
four very young ball clubs, but he has been one
(03:25):
of those veterans that has provided some leadership and guidance,
and both of those clubs made the postseason. So he
is back in the fold this year, and when we
come back, we'll talk to him about it. That's next.
The Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Network drivers a switch and save with Progressive could save hundreds.
With that kind of money. You could go bid time
and skip the regular line at the.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Airport him pay for speedy security.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Imagine not having to quickly unpack and pack at the
place you already came back to and wearing your shoes
the whole time you're there. You can't put a price
on that kind of luxury. Well, actually you can, and
you paid for it. Switched to Progressive and you could
save big time for speedy security. Progressive casual tea TERNS
company affiliate's not Devakableno states potential savings will vary.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
The One Ozer swung on, hit high, hit deep to left.
HiT's got a chance.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Gone to the porch.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Austin Hedges gets his first home run. Polante's ready. Here
it comes and he bunts it.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Safety squeeze and a beauty that'll score Straw Goldsmith the
first basement thirty feet from the plate. Fielded it threw
back to first to the second basement, covering boy. Hedges
has done that three times this year. The bitch and
he sends its guy high foul ground behind the plate
near the Twins dugout.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Austin Hedges caught it, fill into the dugout and hung
on our goal.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
Looks like he wants to go there.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
He goes, pitches high, throw it a second perfect tag big.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
Buye him in house. Oh what a throw by Austin Hetches.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly and we are joined by
Guardians catcher Austin Hedges back in the fold for twenty
twenty five. Signed a contract in the off season and
Austin were talking earlier about you coming back and returning
to the ball club, and I'm sure you're at a
stage in your career where you're looking for the right fit,
and it just seems like Cleveland, is that fit for you?
(05:49):
And how important is being in a place where you
can do what you do so well, especially at this
stage of your career.
Speaker 5 (05:59):
Yeah, So, I mean, obviously you want to as a
as a young player, you want to work as hard
as you can to try and get a free agency
and that's where you know you can you can make
the most money, and you can you know, have teams
fight over you a little bit, and you know, and
you actually get a little bit of leverage. For the
first six years of your career, you you really don't
have much leverage to to do anything because you're just
(06:22):
you know, you're on whatever team you're on. So for
me in the in going into twenty three first year
free agent, you know, it was an exciting time and
you know, there was obviously there was talks with Cleveland
of signing back, but then we both decided to.
Speaker 6 (06:39):
Go a different way.
Speaker 5 (06:40):
And I think pretty early on in the twenty three season,
I think both of us realized we'd probably made a bad.
Speaker 6 (06:46):
Decision and.
Speaker 5 (06:49):
So and then in re signing this past year and
obviously the success that we had it made it it
made I think on both ends between our front office
and and myself made it just obvious that like, all right,
we're not gonna make the same mistake twice, and we
got to make.
Speaker 6 (07:06):
Sure we run this thing back.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
What is it about Cleveland that that works for you?
First the team wise and then maybe city wise.
Speaker 5 (07:16):
Well, it starts with the personnel. Just the people in
our organization. They well, first of all, they believe in me,
and that goes a long way. You go to a
lot of places and you might just be player a
player B who happens to play catcher, and you're gonna
go do this, this and this, and that's kind of
how we treat you. Where in Cleveland they appreciate the
(07:40):
little things that I do, and I take a lot
of pride in those little things, and and I think
they go a really long way.
Speaker 6 (07:47):
And they they seem to have noticed that.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
And you know, we talked about like, you know, maybe
at a different point in my career it could be
a little bit different. But for me, you know, a
thirty two year old catcher, you know, been been around
and seeing some things. So now I just want I
want a place where I can do the things that
I you know, that I'm good at and am allowed
(08:13):
to and where I don't have to necessarily start over
where if I go to another organization, you know, maybe
there maybe there's a culture problem, or maybe there needs
some things.
Speaker 6 (08:21):
That need to be fixed. That doesn't happen overnight.
Speaker 5 (08:24):
You know, that takes serious work in spring training and
then throughout the season where you know, I feel like
the process really started for us in Cleveland in twenty
two where where things started really moving in the right direction.
And so it made it, you know, a lot simpler
going to this past year because it was basically that
whole team back from twenty two and had a and
(08:46):
that whole group it had a twenty three season that
they weren't real proud of. So it was like, okay,
like we know what works, we know it doesn't work.
Now let's just obsess over even getting better and building
on the things that did work in twenty two. And
then obviously we went out and had an amazing season,
so and we showed ourselves how close we are to
(09:06):
actually winning the whole thing.
Speaker 6 (09:08):
So going into this next season, I'm just so.
Speaker 5 (09:12):
Excited that we just get to build off of what
we've already done and it's not like we have to
like go back to the drawing board and you know,
try and come up with new ideas. I feel like
all the boys have seen the road map and they
know exactly how to get there, and now it's just
about doing it again.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
You mentioned twenty two and you mentioned last season. Very
similar seasons and that just solid seasons from start to finish,
and then this year a little bit further run in
the playoffs under different managers who seem so different in
terms of experience. They are Terry Francona in twenty two
and then Steven Voda rookie manager this year. But it
(09:48):
seemed like you really enjoyed playing for both and the
team responded to both. What were some of the common
themes between the two and maybe some differences that helped
this year for this up.
Speaker 5 (10:01):
Well, they're both amazing leaders of men, and that is
in what I've noticed in my career.
Speaker 6 (10:06):
A true leader of men is what the real role
of the manager is.
Speaker 5 (10:10):
And that's not just for players. That's that's for coaches,
in front office and staff members. You got to be
you have to make everybody feel like they are important
to helping us win. Today in both Tito and Voter
do an amazing job at that if you stop by
Voter's office or when Tito is there too, Like those
(10:32):
guys are going to make you feel like you are
so valuable and are.
Speaker 6 (10:38):
Just there to help. And it's just it's it's it's
probably the most important thing for a manager to have,
and you know, obviously it was. Yeah, it doesn't come
as a surprise that Terry Francono.
Speaker 5 (10:51):
Is that way with all of his history of success,
But for Steven Vote to be a first year managers
to already be that poised able to respond difficult situations
and to be able to lead an entire clubhouse.
Speaker 6 (11:04):
Especially a young clubhouse that we had, it's just.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
It's really incredible, and it's so cool for me too,
because I just I learned so much from both of them,
and uh, probably a really special thing for me this
past year was I vocalized to Voter that like I
wanted to learn about like some of the things that
that he was doing if I could ever possibly possibly
(11:28):
take on a role like that in my career someday.
And and this guy just passed on so much wisdom
to me, uh really on a daily basis, And I
feel like I learned so much, remember on just how
to respond to tough situations, how to communicate with you know,
one hundred plus people on a daily basis, and uh,
(11:48):
you know, obviously he deserves to be the manager of
the year.
Speaker 6 (11:51):
As he is.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Austin Hedges joining US Guardians catcher. Uh, awesome off season
for you. We talk so much and maybe it's not
fair and the impact you make on a team in
the clubhouse, but I know we talked about this in
spring training. You still want to get it done on
the field. That's important and obviously a big key to
coming back. What do you work on this offseason at
(12:16):
this stage of your career to try and be the
best you can be on the playing field.
Speaker 5 (12:21):
Yeah, I each off season tends to be a little
bit different as you get a little bit older. It's
just it's a little bit more about maintenance and really
just staying healthy. But for me right now, I'm trying
to I'm trying to come up with as many you know,
you know, interesting ways to to enlighten the group, to
(12:43):
to push even farther this this next season. Obviously, want
to want to always get better at catching and then.
Speaker 6 (12:50):
And then it's always it's just really always about hitting
for me. So Uh, you know, it hasn't.
Speaker 5 (12:55):
It hasn't gone as well as out of hope for
my you know, year after year, but every years the
new year, and despite my you know, lack of success
on the offensive side, you just never know when when
when that one year is gonna happen. And you know,
as a thirty two year old, there's no reason that
my thirty two year old season can't be my best
(13:16):
offensive season. I feel like I have a good idea
of what to do. I'm gonna be healthy, I'm going
to hit every day and and work as hard as
I can, and you know, I feel like it's it's
it's so great for me to be in Cleveland because
they know the value that I have if I don't hit,
But if I do hit, then we got some we
(13:37):
got some fun things.
Speaker 6 (13:37):
To work with.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
And on that defensive side, obviously, what you bring to
the table is second to none. Coaching staff wise, it
seems like all it is is catchers and how is that?
Speaker 4 (13:49):
How did that go? This season?
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Having so much experienced catching help on a daily basis,
whether it's Sandy Alamark, Craig Albernez, Steven vote, how helpful
was that? Not only for you, but but to help
pass along some good things to bow Naylor as well.
Speaker 5 (14:06):
Yeah, I mean obviously they helped both so much and
they helped me a ton too. Where catchers just see
the game different catchers are, it's it's it's wired in
you to watch everything and to pay attention to everything.
You know, when you're playing the position, you're the only
guy looking at everybody else in the field. Everybody else
is looking at you for the most part, looking at
(14:27):
the pitcher, looking at the catcher. So just the perspective
that you have from playing, you even just without even
really like consciously thinking about it, you subconsciously notice so
many things and then and so it seems like all
the coaches that our ex catchers just see.
Speaker 6 (14:43):
The game in that way. One of the.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
Biggest things is, uh is just the lessons that they
can teach, the things that they notice on a daily
basis and just remind you that you just you never
have this game figured out everything. You're always learning and
that's just such a cool thing that.
Speaker 6 (14:58):
You get to always keep learning.
Speaker 5 (14:59):
That doesn't ma matter if you've played a thousand games
in your career, like you're.
Speaker 6 (15:03):
Gonna something new, is gonna happen.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
Something's gonna get brought up, You're gonna see something, and
it's just gonna open your mind up to so many
new possibilities for you know, how to win a ball
game today. And all the guys in our clubhouse, you know,
especially you know Voter and Albi and Sandy like they
just they just want to win. And when when your
culture is about caring about people and learning and winning,
(15:27):
it just seems that good things happen.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Austin Hedges joining us and he's back in the fold
for twenty twenty five. Austin will close with us. The
team so close to getting where they wanted to be
this past season. U the prior season with Texas, you
saw what a team can do to reach the World
Series and then win the World Series. How fine a
(15:49):
line is it? And what do you see in this
team that that can maybe push them over that line
to make that last step?
Speaker 5 (15:58):
You know, one of really the biggest difference was it
was that that Texas team was such a veteran team
with so many guys that had played so many big
games before, and we just happened to have a group
that that hadn't quite played that many big games you know,
obviously in twenty two we had gone to the ALDS
and then now now we got to the CS.
Speaker 6 (16:17):
And each time you you get to.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
A new you know, level, a new where you it's
the wild card than the DS whatever. You kind of
just that that roadmap for how to get to the
World Series and win the World Series becomes clearer.
Speaker 6 (16:31):
And the stage that it's a big stage.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
I mean, you know, the two times that we've lost
in the playoffs, you know, two out of the last
three years been to the New York Yankees. That is
a big Stage's let's just be honest, there's probably not a.
Speaker 6 (16:44):
Bigger more hostile environment in all of sports.
Speaker 5 (16:47):
You're playing at Yankee Stadium in the playoffs, that is
that's the stage and really all of sports. And now
we've been there and a lot of guys have been
there twice now and so it's so clear that just
the little things that we could have done better, but
more importantly, we've noticed you know.
Speaker 6 (17:03):
That we can hang and that we can win.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
And when you when you truly believe that and feel
that in experience it, then it just becomes so clear
of how to do it. So tr Us going into
this year, we know exactly what to do, and a
lot of what that is is to do nothing different
just to now we have the experience and we get
to use that experience, and we also have some heartbreaking
(17:31):
failures in those playoffs that we also get to use.
And in my experience, it seems like failure teaches you a.
Speaker 6 (17:39):
Hell of a lot more than success.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
And this group just wasn't satisfied with making it to
you know, the final four. Our our goal all year
was to win the World Series, not just get there.
And I feel like everybody knows how to get there
this next year and then ultimately go win the whole thing.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Well, it's great to have you back and a part
of that effort to try and get it done in
twenty twenty five. Austin Hedges, congratulations on the new contract
and thanks a lot for com bye.
Speaker 6 (18:07):
Appreciate it all right, Thank you, Robie.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
It's Guardians Catcher. Austin Hedges, stay tuned a lot more
of Guardians weekly after this.
Speaker 6 (19:06):
Are you ready enough?
Speaker 7 (19:08):
Get up and count it down and sometimes and sometime
we should make it down to us his family and
so tund to be from the east to the west sunset, we.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
Are we are.
Speaker 7 (19:49):
In the sunset.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
Found on a beautiful summer night off the shores of
Lake You these are the kind of nights you long
for in the middle of a blizzard in mid January
singing songs.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly, Jim Rosenhouse along with you
as we continue our hot Stove shows on what has
been a very cold week. A little break here this
weekend if you're in northeast Ohio, but man, it looks
bad next week in terms of low temperatures and hard
wind chills. But hopefully a little baseball talk on the
radio gets you going. And we are welcoming in now.
(20:39):
Bob di Biassio, Senior Vice President, to talk about the
life and times of Rocky Colavito, who passed away at
the age of ninety one this past December. What a
career in the major leagues for colorbdo. Yes, he did
spend some time with the Tigers. Controversial, of course, but
one of the most beloved Cleveland Indians of his time,
(21:02):
A player who was at the time one of only
eight to hit four home runs in a game a
win at Baltimore back in June of nineteen fifty nine.
He had a whole season where he did not commit
an error in the outfield. He exceeded twenty home runs
in a season eleven consecutive years, topping the forty home
(21:23):
run mark three times. One of the great players of
his era. He was in the big leagues from nineteen
fifty five to nineteen sixty eight. And we had a
chance to catch up with Bob D. Biassio, who I
think can speak for so many fans who enjoyed the
career of Rocky Colavito. He was a big part of
that too, and hopefully this interview with Bobby D can
(21:44):
take you back to some good times and some great
memories of one of the greats in franchise history.
Speaker 8 (21:49):
Well, happy New Year to you and yours, Rosie. You
know my heart still aches at the passing of Rocky,
a generational hero, childhood hero. My two older brothers, Danny
and Tony, their childhood hero. One thing I can remember,
(22:09):
I was only five when he was traded prior to
the nineteen sixty season. But my older brother Danny six
years older, Tony three years older, and my mom crying
their eyes out, and I'm asking them what's wrong, and
that Rocky was traded to the Detroit Tigers. So there's
(22:35):
so many of us in our town that were connected
to this generational hero and felt such a love affair
with Rocky because he returned the adoration our fans gave
him like no other player that I've dealt with. When
(22:56):
you hear the stories and you hear Rocky talk. When
we dedicated the statue down in Little Italy's Tony Brush
Park on his eighty eighth birthday in twenty twenty one,
that was August tenth, the outpouring of love for him
was just remarkable And one of the reasons why I
(23:20):
believe Rosie is a story that he would share that
after a ballgame at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, if it wasn't
the last game of a homestand and they were headed
on a bus to get to the airport or wherever,
Rocky would tell Carmen, his wife, give me two hours,
(23:44):
and he would spend an hour talking to the media,
dealing with the trainers, taking a shower, getting dressed. He
was notoriously a slow guy after ballgames. His son would
tell me that all the time, but that he would
always take one hour and sign every autograph every person
(24:09):
who waited around for him after a game, he signed autographs,
he did sports bank, What's youth, sports bank, what's around town?
Speaker 9 (24:19):
With regularity.
Speaker 8 (24:21):
Again, the adoration that our fans showed Rocky, he reciprocated.
And that's why he said, I'm thankful God chose me
to play in Cleveland, and he truly meant it.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
And he played for some others, but he came back
to Cleveland later on in his career. Who knows how
it would have been had he not, But the fact
that he was able to come back and the team
was able to bring him back at least for some
stretches later on in his career. What did that mean?
The fans here.
Speaker 8 (24:53):
Gave Paul I think truly understood it. The franchise in
the mid sixties floundering, just wasn't the club that it
was in the late fifties. Looking for a power hitter
and looking for a fan favorite, was able to reacquire Rocky,
and although he only spent two and a half more
(25:15):
seasons with the franchise before being traded to the White
Sox in July of nineteen sixty seven, he did ignite
a spark back into the franchise.
Speaker 9 (25:29):
He was that.
Speaker 8 (25:32):
Charismatic, such a dominant figure in the sports scene in Cleveland,
and I think it was one of the smarter moves
gave Paul ever made.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
When you look back at you mentioned traded prior to
nineteen sixty. He's coming off a year in fifty nine
forty two home runs, one hundred and eleven driven in
MVP type numbers. He finished fourth in the voting, behind
three members of the White Sox, so obviously had a
big year in that fifty nine season. Nellie Fox wins
(26:04):
the award, not even close to comparable numbers, But maybe
it tells you the award has changed over the years
in terms of what it means, and maybe it really
did come down to the team that won that had
to have the MVP back then.
Speaker 8 (26:22):
You know that's true, don't rightly know? Anytime you got
into those kind of baseball conversations with Rocky, and I
was so fortunate. You know, how often does a childhood
idol become a dear friend, And I was so blessed
that that truly happened in my life. And so you'd
sit and you'd talk baseball with him, and he only
(26:46):
had nothing but phenomenal things to say about Nellie Fox,
he never got into the position. Well, I did this,
and you know I should have been rewarded with that
kind of award. That's not the kind of human being
that Rocky was. Always had wonderful things to say about
everybody who was a teammate and an opposing player, except
(27:11):
for Frank Trader Lane, the GM who traded.
Speaker 9 (27:14):
Him to the Detroit Tigers.
Speaker 8 (27:17):
He had a real disdain for Frank Lane, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Bobby Biassio joining s Guardians, Senior vice president of public Relations.
Do I have that right, Bobby D?
Speaker 1 (27:30):
What is it?
Speaker 9 (27:32):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (27:33):
Absolutely, whatever public Affairs, give me.
Speaker 9 (27:37):
Whatever title you need.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Rosie Hey, we're talking life in times of Rocky Colavito
born and raised in the Bronx and his tryout comes
at Yankee Stadium and Cleveland signs him. Did you guys
ever talk about that how that came about?
Speaker 8 (27:55):
Yes, obviously, he was a New York fan. He was
a young man that wanted to be a baseball player,
and he would put his father's combat boots on and
the park down the street in which he played. He
and his brothers would go to the ballpark and playing
(28:19):
every day in the summer. But he would get into
those combat boots and he'd run around the field with
the ankle weights, as he called him, but they were
combat boots, and he'd rigs risk weights back in the
day to have build up his arm strength. And obviously
(28:40):
not only was he a prolific home run hitter when
he retired, Rosie I think the top four guys in
front of him were all in the Hall of Fame
and he didn't get there. So there's, like Kenny Lofton,
in my opinion, the discussion of whether or not those
two players should be in the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 9 (29:01):
I don't know.
Speaker 8 (29:02):
My sentiment to both players emotionally thinks they're Hall of famers.
The discussion should have lasted longer for both players, and
Rocky would just work his tail off to become a
prolific player. He had a phenomenal arm. There was a
(29:24):
year where he did not commit an air in right field.
His fielding percentage as a right field there was one thousand.
Think about that, an er and throw, or you die
for a ball and miss it and it's an air.
Just a remarkably talented, powerful player with charisma, and again
(29:46):
he says he's thankful God chose him to play in Cleveland. Well,
Cleveland was thankful to God for having Rocky be a
member of this organization.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
And a member of the franchise Hall of Fame win
in back in two thousand and six. What do you
remember about that day or weekend if maybe, if it's
more appropriate, Yeah, well, it.
Speaker 8 (30:09):
Was surreal in one sense that here we have a
ton of all Hall of famers on the field, and
you know the way Rocky just cried his eyes out
coming off the field when we also celebrated his eightieth
(30:32):
birthday at the ballpark and Tito was around, and to
see those two hug.
Speaker 9 (30:41):
And being Tito's office talking.
Speaker 8 (30:46):
Was one of the most remarkable things that I experienced.
The love affair between those two gentlemen, you know, Rocky
and Tito's father, Tito Senor was they were incredible friends,
and Rocky was so proud of Tito Junior in his
(31:07):
role in our franchise and the consistent, sustained winning culture
that Tito helped create here during his eleven year tenure.
There was nobody more proud of Tito.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
Than Rocky, And obviously that's a big part of his
post playing career and willingness to stay around the ball
club and not necessarily be involved, but at least follow it,
and even to the end still followed the team as
close as he could.
Speaker 8 (31:40):
Yeah, we talked probably once a month, if not a
teeny bit more tiny bit more during the season than
in the off season. Probably once a month in the offseason,
just touch base and say hello. But during the season
he knew all about out our ball club. He followed
(32:01):
it religiously, either listening to you and Hammy, and congratulations
to Hammy of course and his induction into the Hall
of Fame. But he'd listen in any game that he
could get on television, he'd watch and still a huge,
huge fan of his baseball team.
Speaker 2 (32:21):
Well, great stuff, bobbyd is always your perspective, and I
can't imagine how difficult it was to hear the news
based on I mean, at your childhood guy. I mean
we all had him and time March is on. But man,
that's still a tough one.
Speaker 8 (32:38):
No, You're right, Rosie, it is. And as I said,
I'm very blessed. But how often does somebody have a
childhood hero become a dear, dear friend. And whenever I
think a Rocky I'm not going to think about his passing.
Speaker 9 (32:52):
I'm going to think about all the joy he gave all.
Speaker 8 (32:55):
The baseball fans in the city of Cleveland as a generational.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
And while we have you, and we're joined by Guardian
Senior Vice President Bopti Piacio.
Speaker 4 (33:05):
You alluded to it.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Tom Hamilton will be going into the Baseball Hall of
Fame next summer, the Ford Frick Award winner. You were
here in the early days and oh yeah, can you
think back to that time what allowed the job to
open up? And then early impressions of someone that I
don't think too many people knew much about.
Speaker 9 (33:25):
You know, It's funny.
Speaker 8 (33:26):
I always joke with people that when we got Hammy's
resume where he talked about doing the four H Club
on the farm in the farm area of Wisconsin and
he would do play by play, you know, milk cowing.
(33:49):
I don't even know if I have the phrase right,
but at the State Fair doing all the play by
play of people milking cows and doing all those sorts
of things. We were like, he's got the unique set
of skills to come and work for us in the
in the eighties, in the late eighties, early nineties, and
(34:13):
the way he just warmed to our town, how our
fans warmed to his style, how he was able with
Herbie to become an instant, wonderful duo. It's a foregone conclusion,
(34:33):
right Rosie, in all of our minds that he was
going to be the Ford Sea Frick Award winner at
some point. I'm just glad it came now for him
to enjoy and he'll be able to go do his
thing coming up here in the spring with you and
be able to shake hands with a lot of your colleagues.
(34:57):
I know he's text with them and called. He had
a lot of wonderful phone calls. But to you be
able to connect face to face with all of those
as you guys travel throughout the baseball season, I think
is going to be a real treat for him. But
we couldn't be more proud, more happy for he and
(35:17):
Wendy and the family. Nobody more deserving than Hammy with
the Ford Cea Frick Award.
Speaker 2 (35:23):
And you said you talked to him in the morning
before the announcement and he was very confident that it
would go his way.
Speaker 6 (35:28):
Right.
Speaker 9 (35:29):
No, of course not, you.
Speaker 8 (35:30):
Know, Handy, you know, he's like ah, Dwayne Kuiper Gary Collin.
You know, you know, as he said in his interviews,
you know, I'm lasht on that list.
Speaker 9 (35:40):
I'm not getting it. I was like, yeah, you are.
I'm feeling confident that you're You're in.
Speaker 8 (35:45):
And then we talked at length, I don't know about
ten ten thirty that night, after he had answered like
five hundred text whatever, he was sifting through and all
the phone calls and having a few libations with you
and Curtis at his house, you know, and having a blast.
(36:05):
Couldn't be more proud, couldn't be more happy. And we're
going to have a party in Cooperstown in July.
Speaker 2 (36:11):
Amen to that. Bobby D thanks a lot for coming by.
Always great to talk to you. Happy New Year and
we'll catch up with you, I'm sure real soon.
Speaker 8 (36:21):
Happy New Year to you, Rosie, to you and yours.
Thank you, buddy.
Speaker 2 (36:24):
That's Guardian Senior Vice President Bobby Biassio. Stay tuned Guardian's
weekly continues After this time.
Speaker 3 (36:30):
Out, Drivers to switch and save with Progressive could save hundreds.
With that kind of money, you could go big time
on a fancy water bottle with ultra titanium. Alloim at all.
You're not sure why you need all that. I mean,
it just holds water, but you're getting it anyway, because
if you're hiking near an active volcano and do you
accidentally drop the bottle into molten lava, your water will
(36:51):
still be icy cold. Switch to Progressive and you could
save big time for water bottles. Progressive casual tea turn
in affiliates not available into states. Potential savings will vary.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Welcome back to Guardian's Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back with you
for our final segment on this week's show. Great to
have you along as we take you toward the top
of the hour here. If you're listening on the radio,
and we are on the radio network weekly on Saturdays
on our flagship WTAM in Cleveland, it's a seven am start,
as well as on affiliate stations WMAN in Mansfield and
(37:37):
WMRN in Marion, and then the show airs eleven o'clock
on Saturdays in Youngstown on WKBN, So if you can't
catch it there as it airs live, it does turn
into a podcast wherever you download your favorite podcasts a
little bit later on on Saturday, so a lot of
different ways to catch the show. We'll have another one
(37:58):
for you next week. Hope you enjoyed this one and
until next week. For my good buddy Brian Matze who
always does a great job putting together our show each week.
This is Jim Rosenhouse reminding you that you've been listening
to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:22):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 6 (39:01):
Yeah.
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Hi everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly Humors in house along
with you as we continue with our hot stove shows,
hopefully warming you up a bit during what has been
I can't some more typical Northeast Ohio winter after a
couple of mild ones the last few years. But man,
we're getting winner now and that always makes the start
(01:17):
of spring training and baseball season right around the corner
that much more something to look forward to for sure.
Good show lined up for you today. In just a
little bit, we will hear from Senior Vice President Bob D.
Biassio with a look back of the life and times
of the great Rocky Colavito, who passed away this past December,
(01:39):
arguably one of the most popular Cleveland Indians ever in
franchise history. And Bobby D. Will have some great memories
and a look back at the life and times of
the rock and certainly gone but not forgotten and never
will be in Cleveland baseball history. With the weather being
what it is, we've decided to air an interview that
(02:01):
we did a little while back, and we'll air for
the first time today. Austin Hedges, who re signed with
the Guardians to be part of their catching corps for
the coming season, will join us. There's no one better
when the weather stinks and you're looking forward to baseball
than talking to Austin Hedges, and we'll have that interview
in just a little bit. First couple of news and notes,
(02:21):
though some good things happening on the report date front.
We have the official dates now for when things will
begin out in goodyear at spring training. February the eleventh
is when pitchers and catchers officially report. The full squad
reports on February sixteenth, with their first full squad workout
(02:42):
on February the eighteenth, and later that week, Saturday the
twenty second, the Cactus League opener between the Guardians and
the Cincinnati reds Now being led by Terry Francona. That'll
be a three zero five first pitch, and of course
you can hear that game right here the Cleveland Clinic
Guardians Radio Network. So a lot to look forward to
(03:04):
coming up, and a lot to look forward to after
the break, as will be joined by Austin Hedges, who
re signed with Cleveland this past fall after a solid season.
Again and no coincidence, the two seasons that Hedges has
played for the Guardians twenty twenty two and twenty twenty
four very young ball clubs, but he has been one
(03:25):
of those veterans that has provided some leadership and guidance,
and both of those clubs made the postseason. So he
is back in the fold this year, and when we
come back, we'll talk to him about it. That's next.
The Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Network drivers a switch and save with Progressive could save hundreds.
With that kind of money. You could go bid time
and skip the regular line at the.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Airport him pay for speedy security.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Imagine not having to quickly unpack and pack at the
place you already came back to and wearing your shoes
the whole time you're there. You can't put a price
on that kind of luxury. Well, actually you can, and
you paid for it. Switched to Progressive and you could
save big time for speedy security. Progressive casual tea TERNS
company affiliate's not Devakableno states potential savings will vary.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
The One Ozer swung on, hit high, hit deep to left.
HiT's got a chance.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Gone to the porch.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Austin Hedges gets his first home run. Polante's ready. Here
it comes and he bunts it.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Safety squeeze and a beauty that'll score Straw Goldsmith the
first basement thirty feet from the plate. Fielded it threw
back to first to the second basement, covering boy. Hedges
has done that three times this year. The bitch and
he sends its guy high foul ground behind the plate
near the Twins dugout.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Austin Hedges caught it, fill into the dugout and hung
on our goal.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
Looks like he wants to go there.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
He goes, pitches high, throw it a second perfect tag big.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
Buye him in house. Oh what a throw by Austin Hetches.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly and we are joined by
Guardians catcher Austin Hedges back in the fold for twenty
twenty five. Signed a contract in the off season and
Austin were talking earlier about you coming back and returning
to the ball club, and I'm sure you're at a
stage in your career where you're looking for the right fit,
and it just seems like Cleveland, is that fit for you?
(05:49):
And how important is being in a place where you
can do what you do so well, especially at this
stage of your career.
Speaker 5 (05:59):
Yeah, So, I mean, obviously you want to as a
as a young player, you want to work as hard
as you can to try and get a free agency
and that's where you know you can you can make
the most money, and you can you know, have teams
fight over you a little bit, and you know, and
you actually get a little bit of leverage. For the
first six years of your career, you you really don't
have much leverage to to do anything because you're just
(06:22):
you know, you're on whatever team you're on. So for
me in the in going into twenty three first year
free agent, you know, it was an exciting time and
you know, there was obviously there was talks with Cleveland
of signing back, but then we both decided to.
Speaker 6 (06:39):
Go a different way.
Speaker 5 (06:40):
And I think pretty early on in the twenty three season,
I think both of us realized we'd probably made a bad.
Speaker 6 (06:46):
Decision and.
Speaker 5 (06:49):
So and then in re signing this past year and
obviously the success that we had it made it it
made I think on both ends between our front office
and and myself made it just obvious that like, all right,
we're not gonna make the same mistake twice, and we
got to make.
Speaker 6 (07:06):
Sure we run this thing back.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
What is it about Cleveland that that works for you?
First the team wise and then maybe city wise.
Speaker 5 (07:16):
Well, it starts with the personnel. Just the people in
our organization. They well, first of all, they believe in me,
and that goes a long way. You go to a
lot of places and you might just be player a
player B who happens to play catcher, and you're gonna
go do this, this and this, and that's kind of
how we treat you. Where in Cleveland they appreciate the
(07:40):
little things that I do, and I take a lot
of pride in those little things, and and I think
they go a really long way.
Speaker 6 (07:47):
And they they seem to have noticed that.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
And you know, we talked about like, you know, maybe
at a different point in my career it could be
a little bit different. But for me, you know, a
thirty two year old catcher, you know, been been around
and seeing some things. So now I just want I
want a place where I can do the things that
I you know, that I'm good at and am allowed
(08:13):
to and where I don't have to necessarily start over
where if I go to another organization, you know, maybe
there maybe there's a culture problem, or maybe there needs
some things.
Speaker 6 (08:21):
That need to be fixed. That doesn't happen overnight.
Speaker 5 (08:24):
You know, that takes serious work in spring training and
then throughout the season where you know, I feel like
the process really started for us in Cleveland in twenty
two where where things started really moving in the right direction.
And so it made it, you know, a lot simpler
going to this past year because it was basically that
whole team back from twenty two and had a and
(08:46):
that whole group it had a twenty three season that
they weren't real proud of. So it was like, okay,
like we know what works, we know it doesn't work.
Now let's just obsess over even getting better and building
on the things that did work in twenty two. And
then obviously we went out and had an amazing season,
so and we showed ourselves how close we are to
(09:06):
actually winning the whole thing.
Speaker 6 (09:08):
So going into this next season, I'm just so.
Speaker 5 (09:12):
Excited that we just get to build off of what
we've already done and it's not like we have to
like go back to the drawing board and you know,
try and come up with new ideas. I feel like
all the boys have seen the road map and they
know exactly how to get there, and now it's just
about doing it again.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
You mentioned twenty two and you mentioned last season. Very
similar seasons and that just solid seasons from start to finish,
and then this year a little bit further run in
the playoffs under different managers who seem so different in
terms of experience. They are Terry Francona in twenty two
and then Steven Voda rookie manager this year. But it
(09:48):
seemed like you really enjoyed playing for both and the
team responded to both. What were some of the common
themes between the two and maybe some differences that helped
this year for this up.
Speaker 5 (10:01):
Well, they're both amazing leaders of men, and that is
in what I've noticed in my career.
Speaker 6 (10:06):
A true leader of men is what the real role
of the manager is.
Speaker 5 (10:10):
And that's not just for players. That's that's for coaches,
in front office and staff members. You got to be
you have to make everybody feel like they are important
to helping us win. Today in both Tito and Voter
do an amazing job at that if you stop by
Voter's office or when Tito is there too, Like those
(10:32):
guys are going to make you feel like you are
so valuable and are.
Speaker 6 (10:38):
Just there to help. And it's just it's it's it's
probably the most important thing for a manager to have,
and you know, obviously it was. Yeah, it doesn't come
as a surprise that Terry Francono.
Speaker 5 (10:51):
Is that way with all of his history of success,
But for Steven Vote to be a first year managers
to already be that poised able to respond difficult situations
and to be able to lead an entire clubhouse.
Speaker 6 (11:04):
Especially a young clubhouse that we had, it's just.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
It's really incredible, and it's so cool for me too,
because I just I learned so much from both of them,
and uh, probably a really special thing for me this
past year was I vocalized to Voter that like I
wanted to learn about like some of the things that
that he was doing if I could ever possibly possibly
(11:28):
take on a role like that in my career someday.
And and this guy just passed on so much wisdom
to me, uh really on a daily basis, And I
feel like I learned so much, remember on just how
to respond to tough situations, how to communicate with you know,
one hundred plus people on a daily basis, and uh,
(11:48):
you know, obviously he deserves to be the manager of
the year.
Speaker 6 (11:51):
As he is.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Austin Hedges joining US Guardians catcher. Uh, awesome off season
for you. We talk so much and maybe it's not
fair and the impact you make on a team in
the clubhouse, but I know we talked about this in
spring training. You still want to get it done on
the field. That's important and obviously a big key to
coming back. What do you work on this offseason at
(12:16):
this stage of your career to try and be the
best you can be on the playing field.
Speaker 5 (12:21):
Yeah, I each off season tends to be a little
bit different as you get a little bit older. It's
just it's a little bit more about maintenance and really
just staying healthy. But for me right now, I'm trying
to I'm trying to come up with as many you know,
you know, interesting ways to to enlighten the group, to
(12:43):
to push even farther this this next season. Obviously, want
to want to always get better at catching and then.
Speaker 6 (12:50):
And then it's always it's just really always about hitting
for me. So Uh, you know, it hasn't.
Speaker 5 (12:55):
It hasn't gone as well as out of hope for
my you know, year after year, but every years the
new year, and despite my you know, lack of success
on the offensive side, you just never know when when
when that one year is gonna happen. And you know,
as a thirty two year old, there's no reason that
my thirty two year old season can't be my best
(13:16):
offensive season. I feel like I have a good idea
of what to do. I'm gonna be healthy, I'm going
to hit every day and and work as hard as
I can, and you know, I feel like it's it's
it's so great for me to be in Cleveland because
they know the value that I have if I don't hit,
But if I do hit, then we got some we
(13:37):
got some fun things.
Speaker 6 (13:37):
To work with.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
And on that defensive side, obviously, what you bring to
the table is second to none. Coaching staff wise, it
seems like all it is is catchers and how is that?
Speaker 4 (13:49):
How did that go? This season?
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Having so much experienced catching help on a daily basis,
whether it's Sandy Alamark, Craig Albernez, Steven vote, how helpful
was that? Not only for you, but but to help
pass along some good things to bow Naylor as well.
Speaker 5 (14:06):
Yeah, I mean obviously they helped both so much and
they helped me a ton too. Where catchers just see
the game different catchers are, it's it's it's wired in
you to watch everything and to pay attention to everything.
You know, when you're playing the position, you're the only
guy looking at everybody else in the field. Everybody else
is looking at you for the most part, looking at
(14:27):
the pitcher, looking at the catcher. So just the perspective
that you have from playing, you even just without even
really like consciously thinking about it, you subconsciously notice so
many things and then and so it seems like all
the coaches that our ex catchers just see.
Speaker 6 (14:43):
The game in that way. One of the.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
Biggest things is, uh is just the lessons that they
can teach, the things that they notice on a daily
basis and just remind you that you just you never
have this game figured out everything. You're always learning and
that's just such a cool thing that.
Speaker 6 (14:58):
You get to always keep learning.
Speaker 5 (14:59):
That doesn't ma matter if you've played a thousand games
in your career, like you're.
Speaker 6 (15:03):
Gonna something new, is gonna happen.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
Something's gonna get brought up, You're gonna see something, and
it's just gonna open your mind up to so many
new possibilities for you know, how to win a ball
game today. And all the guys in our clubhouse, you know,
especially you know Voter and Albi and Sandy like they
just they just want to win. And when when your
culture is about caring about people and learning and winning,
(15:27):
it just seems that good things happen.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Austin Hedges joining us and he's back in the fold
for twenty twenty five. Austin will close with us. The
team so close to getting where they wanted to be
this past season. U the prior season with Texas, you
saw what a team can do to reach the World
Series and then win the World Series. How fine a
(15:49):
line is it? And what do you see in this
team that that can maybe push them over that line
to make that last step?
Speaker 5 (15:58):
You know, one of really the biggest difference was it
was that that Texas team was such a veteran team
with so many guys that had played so many big
games before, and we just happened to have a group
that that hadn't quite played that many big games you know,
obviously in twenty two we had gone to the ALDS
and then now now we got to the CS.
Speaker 6 (16:17):
And each time you you get to.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
A new you know, level, a new where you it's
the wild card than the DS whatever. You kind of
just that that roadmap for how to get to the
World Series and win the World Series becomes clearer.
Speaker 6 (16:31):
And the stage that it's a big stage.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
I mean, you know, the two times that we've lost
in the playoffs, you know, two out of the last
three years been to the New York Yankees. That is
a big Stage's let's just be honest, there's probably not a.
Speaker 6 (16:44):
Bigger more hostile environment in all of sports.
Speaker 5 (16:47):
You're playing at Yankee Stadium in the playoffs, that is
that's the stage and really all of sports. And now
we've been there and a lot of guys have been
there twice now and so it's so clear that just
the little things that we could have done better, but
more importantly, we've noticed you know.
Speaker 6 (17:03):
That we can hang and that we can win.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
And when you when you truly believe that and feel
that in experience it, then it just becomes so clear
of how to do it. So tr Us going into
this year, we know exactly what to do, and a
lot of what that is is to do nothing different
just to now we have the experience and we get
to use that experience, and we also have some heartbreaking
(17:31):
failures in those playoffs that we also get to use.
And in my experience, it seems like failure teaches you a.
Speaker 6 (17:39):
Hell of a lot more than success.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
And this group just wasn't satisfied with making it to
you know, the final four. Our our goal all year
was to win the World Series, not just get there.
And I feel like everybody knows how to get there
this next year and then ultimately go win the whole thing.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Well, it's great to have you back and a part
of that effort to try and get it done in
twenty twenty five. Austin Hedges, congratulations on the new contract
and thanks a lot for com bye.
Speaker 6 (18:07):
Appreciate it all right, Thank you, Robie.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
It's Guardians Catcher. Austin Hedges, stay tuned a lot more
of Guardians weekly after this.
Speaker 6 (19:06):
Are you ready enough?
Speaker 7 (19:08):
Get up and count it down and sometimes and sometime
we should make it down to us his family and
so tund to be from the east to the west sunset, we.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
Are we are.
Speaker 7 (19:49):
In the sunset.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
Found on a beautiful summer night off the shores of
Lake You these are the kind of nights you long
for in the middle of a blizzard in mid January
singing songs.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly, Jim Rosenhouse along with you
as we continue our hot Stove shows on what has
been a very cold week. A little break here this
weekend if you're in northeast Ohio, but man, it looks
bad next week in terms of low temperatures and hard
wind chills. But hopefully a little baseball talk on the
radio gets you going. And we are welcoming in now.
(20:39):
Bob di Biassio, Senior Vice President, to talk about the
life and times of Rocky Colavito, who passed away at
the age of ninety one this past December. What a
career in the major leagues for colorbdo. Yes, he did
spend some time with the Tigers. Controversial, of course, but
one of the most beloved Cleveland Indians of his time,
(21:02):
A player who was at the time one of only
eight to hit four home runs in a game a
win at Baltimore back in June of nineteen fifty nine.
He had a whole season where he did not commit
an error in the outfield. He exceeded twenty home runs
in a season eleven consecutive years, topping the forty home
(21:23):
run mark three times. One of the great players of
his era. He was in the big leagues from nineteen
fifty five to nineteen sixty eight. And we had a
chance to catch up with Bob D. Biassio, who I
think can speak for so many fans who enjoyed the
career of Rocky Colavito. He was a big part of
that too, and hopefully this interview with Bobby D can
(21:44):
take you back to some good times and some great
memories of one of the greats in franchise history.
Speaker 8 (21:49):
Well, happy New Year to you and yours, Rosie. You
know my heart still aches at the passing of Rocky,
a generational hero, childhood hero. My two older brothers, Danny
and Tony, their childhood hero. One thing I can remember,
(22:09):
I was only five when he was traded prior to
the nineteen sixty season. But my older brother Danny six
years older, Tony three years older, and my mom crying
their eyes out, and I'm asking them what's wrong, and
that Rocky was traded to the Detroit Tigers. So there's
(22:35):
so many of us in our town that were connected
to this generational hero and felt such a love affair
with Rocky because he returned the adoration our fans gave
him like no other player that I've dealt with. When
(22:56):
you hear the stories and you hear Rocky talk. When
we dedicated the statue down in Little Italy's Tony Brush
Park on his eighty eighth birthday in twenty twenty one,
that was August tenth, the outpouring of love for him
was just remarkable And one of the reasons why I
(23:20):
believe Rosie is a story that he would share that
after a ballgame at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, if it wasn't
the last game of a homestand and they were headed
on a bus to get to the airport or wherever,
Rocky would tell Carmen, his wife, give me two hours,
(23:44):
and he would spend an hour talking to the media,
dealing with the trainers, taking a shower, getting dressed. He
was notoriously a slow guy after ballgames. His son would
tell me that all the time, but that he would
always take one hour and sign every autograph every person
(24:09):
who waited around for him after a game, he signed autographs,
he did sports bank, What's youth, sports bank, what's around town?
Speaker 9 (24:19):
With regularity.
Speaker 8 (24:21):
Again, the adoration that our fans showed Rocky, he reciprocated.
And that's why he said, I'm thankful God chose me
to play in Cleveland, and he truly meant it.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
And he played for some others, but he came back
to Cleveland later on in his career. Who knows how
it would have been had he not, But the fact
that he was able to come back and the team
was able to bring him back at least for some
stretches later on in his career. What did that mean?
The fans here.
Speaker 8 (24:53):
Gave Paul I think truly understood it. The franchise in
the mid sixties floundering, just wasn't the club that it
was in the late fifties. Looking for a power hitter
and looking for a fan favorite, was able to reacquire Rocky,
and although he only spent two and a half more
(25:15):
seasons with the franchise before being traded to the White
Sox in July of nineteen sixty seven, he did ignite
a spark back into the franchise.
Speaker 9 (25:29):
He was that.
Speaker 8 (25:32):
Charismatic, such a dominant figure in the sports scene in Cleveland,
and I think it was one of the smarter moves
gave Paul ever made.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
When you look back at you mentioned traded prior to
nineteen sixty. He's coming off a year in fifty nine
forty two home runs, one hundred and eleven driven in
MVP type numbers. He finished fourth in the voting, behind
three members of the White Sox, so obviously had a
big year in that fifty nine season. Nellie Fox wins
(26:04):
the award, not even close to comparable numbers, But maybe
it tells you the award has changed over the years
in terms of what it means, and maybe it really
did come down to the team that won that had
to have the MVP back then.
Speaker 8 (26:22):
You know that's true, don't rightly know? Anytime you got
into those kind of baseball conversations with Rocky, and I
was so fortunate. You know, how often does a childhood
idol become a dear friend, And I was so blessed
that that truly happened in my life. And so you'd
sit and you'd talk baseball with him, and he only
(26:46):
had nothing but phenomenal things to say about Nellie Fox,
he never got into the position. Well, I did this,
and you know I should have been rewarded with that
kind of award. That's not the kind of human being
that Rocky was. Always had wonderful things to say about
everybody who was a teammate and an opposing player, except
(27:11):
for Frank Trader Lane, the GM who traded.
Speaker 9 (27:14):
Him to the Detroit Tigers.
Speaker 8 (27:17):
He had a real disdain for Frank Lane, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Bobby Biassio joining s Guardians, Senior vice president of public Relations.
Do I have that right, Bobby D?
Speaker 1 (27:30):
What is it?
Speaker 9 (27:32):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (27:33):
Absolutely, whatever public Affairs, give me.
Speaker 9 (27:37):
Whatever title you need.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Rosie Hey, we're talking life in times of Rocky Colavito
born and raised in the Bronx and his tryout comes
at Yankee Stadium and Cleveland signs him. Did you guys
ever talk about that how that came about?
Speaker 8 (27:55):
Yes, obviously, he was a New York fan. He was
a young man that wanted to be a baseball player,
and he would put his father's combat boots on and
the park down the street in which he played. He
and his brothers would go to the ballpark and playing
(28:19):
every day in the summer. But he would get into
those combat boots and he'd run around the field with
the ankle weights, as he called him, but they were
combat boots, and he'd rigs risk weights back in the
day to have build up his arm strength. And obviously
(28:40):
not only was he a prolific home run hitter when
he retired, Rosie I think the top four guys in
front of him were all in the Hall of Fame
and he didn't get there. So there's, like Kenny Lofton,
in my opinion, the discussion of whether or not those
two players should be in the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 9 (29:01):
I don't know.
Speaker 8 (29:02):
My sentiment to both players emotionally thinks they're Hall of famers.
The discussion should have lasted longer for both players, and
Rocky would just work his tail off to become a
prolific player. He had a phenomenal arm. There was a
(29:24):
year where he did not commit an air in right field.
His fielding percentage as a right field there was one thousand.
Think about that, an er and throw, or you die
for a ball and miss it and it's an air.
Just a remarkably talented, powerful player with charisma, and again
(29:46):
he says he's thankful God chose him to play in Cleveland. Well,
Cleveland was thankful to God for having Rocky be a
member of this organization.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
And a member of the franchise Hall of Fame win
in back in two thousand and six. What do you
remember about that day or weekend if maybe, if it's
more appropriate, Yeah, well, it.
Speaker 8 (30:09):
Was surreal in one sense that here we have a
ton of all Hall of famers on the field, and
you know the way Rocky just cried his eyes out
coming off the field when we also celebrated his eightieth
(30:32):
birthday at the ballpark and Tito was around, and to
see those two hug.
Speaker 9 (30:41):
And being Tito's office talking.
Speaker 8 (30:46):
Was one of the most remarkable things that I experienced.
The love affair between those two gentlemen, you know, Rocky
and Tito's father, Tito Senor was they were incredible friends,
and Rocky was so proud of Tito Junior in his
(31:07):
role in our franchise and the consistent, sustained winning culture
that Tito helped create here during his eleven year tenure.
There was nobody more proud of Tito.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
Than Rocky, And obviously that's a big part of his
post playing career and willingness to stay around the ball
club and not necessarily be involved, but at least follow it,
and even to the end still followed the team as
close as he could.
Speaker 8 (31:40):
Yeah, we talked probably once a month, if not a
teeny bit more tiny bit more during the season than
in the off season. Probably once a month in the offseason,
just touch base and say hello. But during the season
he knew all about out our ball club. He followed
(32:01):
it religiously, either listening to you and Hammy, and congratulations
to Hammy of course and his induction into the Hall
of Fame. But he'd listen in any game that he
could get on television, he'd watch and still a huge,
huge fan of his baseball team.
Speaker 2 (32:21):
Well, great stuff, bobbyd is always your perspective, and I
can't imagine how difficult it was to hear the news
based on I mean, at your childhood guy. I mean
we all had him and time March is on. But man,
that's still a tough one.
Speaker 8 (32:38):
No, You're right, Rosie, it is. And as I said,
I'm very blessed. But how often does somebody have a
childhood hero become a dear, dear friend. And whenever I
think a Rocky I'm not going to think about his passing.
Speaker 9 (32:52):
I'm going to think about all the joy he gave all.
Speaker 8 (32:55):
The baseball fans in the city of Cleveland as a generational.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
And while we have you, and we're joined by Guardian
Senior Vice President Bopti Piacio.
Speaker 4 (33:05):
You alluded to it.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Tom Hamilton will be going into the Baseball Hall of
Fame next summer, the Ford Frick Award winner. You were
here in the early days and oh yeah, can you
think back to that time what allowed the job to
open up? And then early impressions of someone that I
don't think too many people knew much about.
Speaker 9 (33:25):
You know, It's funny.
Speaker 8 (33:26):
I always joke with people that when we got Hammy's
resume where he talked about doing the four H Club
on the farm in the farm area of Wisconsin and
he would do play by play, you know, milk cowing.
(33:49):
I don't even know if I have the phrase right,
but at the State Fair doing all the play by
play of people milking cows and doing all those sorts
of things. We were like, he's got the unique set
of skills to come and work for us in the
in the eighties, in the late eighties, early nineties, and
(34:13):
the way he just warmed to our town, how our
fans warmed to his style, how he was able with
Herbie to become an instant, wonderful duo. It's a foregone conclusion,
(34:33):
right Rosie, in all of our minds that he was
going to be the Ford Sea Frick Award winner at
some point. I'm just glad it came now for him
to enjoy and he'll be able to go do his
thing coming up here in the spring with you and
be able to shake hands with a lot of your colleagues.
(34:57):
I know he's text with them and called. He had
a lot of wonderful phone calls. But to you be
able to connect face to face with all of those
as you guys travel throughout the baseball season, I think
is going to be a real treat for him. But
we couldn't be more proud, more happy for he and
(35:17):
Wendy and the family. Nobody more deserving than Hammy with
the Ford Cea Frick Award.
Speaker 2 (35:23):
And you said you talked to him in the morning
before the announcement and he was very confident that it
would go his way.
Speaker 6 (35:28):
Right.
Speaker 9 (35:29):
No, of course not, you.
Speaker 8 (35:30):
Know, Handy, you know, he's like ah, Dwayne Kuiper Gary Collin.
You know, you know, as he said in his interviews,
you know, I'm lasht on that list.
Speaker 9 (35:40):
I'm not getting it. I was like, yeah, you are.
I'm feeling confident that you're You're in.
Speaker 8 (35:45):
And then we talked at length, I don't know about
ten ten thirty that night, after he had answered like
five hundred text whatever, he was sifting through and all
the phone calls and having a few libations with you
and Curtis at his house, you know, and having a blast.
(36:05):
Couldn't be more proud, couldn't be more happy. And we're
going to have a party in Cooperstown in July.
Speaker 2 (36:11):
Amen to that. Bobby D thanks a lot for coming by.
Always great to talk to you. Happy New Year and
we'll catch up with you, I'm sure real soon.
Speaker 8 (36:21):
Happy New Year to you, Rosie, to you and yours.
Thank you, buddy.
Speaker 2 (36:24):
That's Guardian Senior Vice President Bobby Biassio. Stay tuned Guardian's
weekly continues After this time.
Speaker 3 (36:30):
Out, Drivers to switch and save with Progressive could save hundreds.
With that kind of money, you could go big time
on a fancy water bottle with ultra titanium. Alloim at all.
You're not sure why you need all that. I mean,
it just holds water, but you're getting it anyway, because
if you're hiking near an active volcano and do you
accidentally drop the bottle into molten lava, your water will
(36:51):
still be icy cold. Switch to Progressive and you could
save big time for water bottles. Progressive casual tea turn
in affiliates not available into states. Potential savings will vary.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Welcome back to Guardian's Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back with you
for our final segment on this week's show. Great to
have you along as we take you toward the top
of the hour here. If you're listening on the radio,
and we are on the radio network weekly on Saturdays
on our flagship WTAM in Cleveland, it's a seven am start,
as well as on affiliate stations WMAN in Mansfield and
(37:37):
WMRN in Marion, and then the show airs eleven o'clock
on Saturdays in Youngstown on WKBN, So if you can't
catch it there as it airs live, it does turn
into a podcast wherever you download your favorite podcasts a
little bit later on on Saturday, so a lot of
different ways to catch the show. We'll have another one
(37:58):
for you next week. Hope you enjoyed this one and
until next week. For my good buddy Brian Matze who
always does a great job putting together our show each week.
This is Jim Rosenhouse reminding you that you've been listening
to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:22):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 6 (39:01):
Yeah.
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com