Legend of the San Francisco Giants and Baseball Hall of Fame Orlando Cepeda “passed away peacefully” on Friday night, his family confirmed in a statement to the team. He was 86.
“Our beloved Orlando passed away peacefully at home this afternoon, listening to his favorite music and surrounded by his loved ones,” his wife, Nydia, said in a statement shared by the Giants on Friday.
SF Giants' Orlando Cepeda during spring training. (Fake Images)
“We take comfort in knowing that he is at peace.”
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The cause of death was not revealed. The heartbreaking news of Cepeda's death comes just over a week after the death of his former Giants teammate. Actor Willie Mays married actor Willie Mays.
“What a gut punch,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said of the organization's difficult month. “Another incredible personality. Everyone here is very loved, the statue in front. The numbers he put up. There are a lot of legends here. He was definitely in the middle of it. To have him so close to Willie is amazing.”
(left) Orlando Cepeda of the San Francisco Giants, Willie Mays at the Polo Grounds in New York, NY, on September 11, 1963. (Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Cepeda, nicknamed “The Baby Bull,” played first base during his 17 seasons in the majors, starting with the Giants. He also spent time in St. Louis, Atlanta, Oakland, Boston and Kansas City. In the spring of 1969, the Cardinals traded Cepeda to the Braves for Joe Torre.
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Named National League Rookie of the Year in 1958 with San Francisco and National League Most Valuable Player in 1967 with St. Louis, Cepeda would play in three World Series, winning one in 1967. In 1961, he led the National League with 46 home runs and 142 RBIs. Cepeda, an 11-time All-Star, hit .297 in his career with 379 home runs.
“Orlando Cepeda was one of the greatest hitters of his generation. He starred for three storied National League franchises and the 11-time All-Star played alongside Hall of Famers throughout his career,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
Orlando Cepeda, number 30 of the San Francisco Giants, swings at a pitch during an MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 20, 1961 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The Dodgers' catcher is Norm Sherry, number 34, and the umpire is Dusty Boggess. (Hy Peskin/Getty Images)
“Orlando was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1958, when Major League Baseball debuted in San Francisco, where 'The Baby Bull' number 30 was later retired. In 1967, he earned Most Valuable Player honors. of the National League during the St. Louis Cardinals World Championship Season.”
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Manfred continued: “Orlando overcame challenges throughout his life to build a Hall of Fame career. This beloved Puerto Rican figure was one of the many players of his era who helped turn baseball into a multicultural game. “On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, his friends throughout our game, and his many fans in Puerto Rico, San Francisco, St. Louis, Atlanta and beyond.”
After his playing career ended, Cepeda was convicted in 1976 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, of marijuana smuggling and sentenced to five years in prison. He served less than a year, but the sentence likely kept him from being elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
He was subsequently elected by the Veterans Committee in 1999.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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