Hall of Fame first baseman Orlando Cepeda, who left an indelible stamp of excellence on two National League franchises during the 1960s, died Friday, the Giants announced. He was 86.
“Our beloved Orlando passed away peacefully at home this evening, listening to his favorite music and surrounded by his loved ones,” his wife, Nydia, said in a statement released by the Giants. “We take comfort that he is at peace.”
“Orlando Cepeda was one of the best hitters of his generation. He starred for three historic National League franchises, and the 11-time All-Star played alongside Hall of Fame players throughout his career," Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "Orlando was the 1958 National League Rookie of the Year when Major League Baseball debuted in San Francisco, where later ‘The Baby Bull’s’ number 30 was retired. In 1967 he earned NL MVP honors during the St. Louis Cardinals’ World Championship season.
“Orlando overcame challenges throughout his life to build a Hall of Fame career. This beloved figure from Puerto Rico 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 across our game, and his many fans in Puerto Rico, San Francisco, St. Louis, Atlanta and beyond.”
“We lost a true gentleman and legend,” Giants chairman Greg Johnson said. “Orlando was a great ambassador for the game throughout his playing career and beyond. He was one of the all-time great Giants and he will truly be missed. Our condolences go out to the Cepeda family for their tremendous loss and we extend our thoughts to Orlando’s teammates, his friends, and to all those touched by his passing.”
“This is truly a sad day for the San Francisco Giants,’’ Giants president and chief executive officer Larry Baer said. “For all of Orlando’s extraordinary baseball accomplishments, it was his generosity, kindness and joy that defined him. No one loved the game more. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Nydia, his five children, Orlando, Jr., Malcolm, Ali, Carl and Hector, his nine grandchildren, his one great granddaughter as well as his extended family and friends.”
Cepeda emerged as a key figure as baseball became a coast-to-coast pastime when the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers moved to San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively, before the 1958 season.
Traded to St. Louis during the 1966 season, "The Baby Bull" won the National League Most Valuable Player award the following year and was heavily responsible for the Cardinals' back-to-back pennant-winning seasons in 1967-68.
Legend has it that Giants player-coach Whitey Lockman approached manager Bill Rigney during big league camp in Spring Training 1958 and said of Cepeda, "Too bad the kid's a year away."
"Away from what?" Rigney asked.
"From the Hall of Fame," replied Lockman, aware that Cepeda had not yet played a regular-season game in the Majors.
Cepeda excelled immediately. He earned NL Rookie of the Year honors following the Giants' inaugural season in California, when he hit .312 with 25 home runs, 96 RBIs and an NL-high 38 doubles.
Cepeda remained one of baseball's most ferocious hitters. He totaled at least 24 homers in each of his first seven seasons (1958-64) with the Giants. His 222 home runs during this span ranked 10th in the Major Leagues. Among the few who eclipsed Cepeda's total were seven sluggers who ultimately surpassed the 500-homer plateau: Willie Mays, Harmon Killebrew, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Ernie Banks, Frank Robinson and Eddie Mathews.
"What another gut punch," Giants manager Bob Melvin said. "Another incredible personality. Just beloved here, the statue out front. The numbers he put up. There are a lot of legends here. He was certainly right in the middle of that. To have it so close in proximity to Willie, it’s kind of staggering."
“Our beloved Orlando passed away peacefully at home this evening, listening to his favorite music and surrounded by his loved ones,” his wife, Nydia, said in a statement released by the Giants. “We take comfort that he is at peace.”
“Orlando Cepeda was one of the best hitters of his generation. He starred for three historic National League franchises, and the 11-time All-Star played alongside Hall of Fame players throughout his career," Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "Orlando was the 1958 National League Rookie of the Year when Major League Baseball debuted in San Francisco, where later ‘The Baby Bull’s’ number 30 was retired. In 1967 he earned NL MVP honors during the St. Louis Cardinals’ World Championship season.
“Orlando overcame challenges throughout his life to build a Hall of Fame career. This beloved figure from Puerto Rico 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 across our game, and his many fans in Puerto Rico, San Francisco, St. Louis, Atlanta and beyond.”
“We lost a true gentleman and legend,” Giants chairman Greg Johnson said. “Orlando was a great ambassador for the game throughout his playing career and beyond. He was one of the all-time great Giants and he will truly be missed. Our condolences go out to the Cepeda family for their tremendous loss and we extend our thoughts to Orlando’s teammates, his friends, and to all those touched by his passing.”
“This is truly a sad day for the San Francisco Giants,’’ Giants president and chief executive officer Larry Baer said. “For all of Orlando’s extraordinary baseball accomplishments, it was his generosity, kindness and joy that defined him. No one loved the game more. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Nydia, his five children, Orlando, Jr., Malcolm, Ali, Carl and Hector, his nine grandchildren, his one great granddaughter as well as his extended family and friends.”
Cepeda emerged as a key figure as baseball became a coast-to-coast pastime when the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers moved to San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively, before the 1958 season.
Traded to St. Louis during the 1966 season, "The Baby Bull" won the National League Most Valuable Player award the following year and was heavily responsible for the Cardinals' back-to-back pennant-winning seasons in 1967-68.
Legend has it that Giants player-coach Whitey Lockman approached manager Bill Rigney during big league camp in Spring Training 1958 and said of Cepeda, "Too bad the kid's a year away."
"Away from what?" Rigney asked.
"From the Hall of Fame," replied Lockman, aware that Cepeda had not yet played a regular-season game in the Majors.
Cepeda excelled immediately. He earned NL Rookie of the Year honors following the Giants' inaugural season in California, when he hit .312 with 25 home runs, 96 RBIs and an NL-high 38 doubles.
Cepeda remained one of baseball's most ferocious hitters. He totaled at least 24 homers in each of his first seven seasons (1958-64) with the Giants. His 222 home runs during this span ranked 10th in the Major Leagues. Among the few who eclipsed Cepeda's total were seven sluggers who ultimately surpassed the 500-homer plateau: Willie Mays, Harmon Killebrew, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Ernie Banks, Frank Robinson and Eddie Mathews.
"What another gut punch," Giants manager Bob Melvin said. "Another incredible personality. Just beloved here, the statue out front. The numbers he put up. There are a lot of legends here. He was certainly right in the middle of that. To have it so close in proximity to Willie, it’s kind of staggering."
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