The San Francisco Giants announced the passing of baseball legend Orlando Cepeda at the age of 86. Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999, Cepeda was known for his powerful hitting and was one of the first great Puerto Rican players in Major League Baseball. His death came shortly after the passing of his former teammate Willie Mays. The Giants honored Cepeda with a moment of silence during their game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Cepeda’s career was filled with accomplishments, including being an 11-time All-Star, NL MVP, World Series champion, and Rookie of the Year. However, his post-retirement life was marred by legal issues, including a stint in prison for drug trafficking. Despite this, he worked to rehabilitate his image and became a community ambassador for the Giants.
After narrowly missing out on Hall of Fame induction in 1994, Cepeda was eventually enshrined in 1999 by the veterans committee. He was the second Puerto Rican player to receive this honor, joining Roberto Clemente.
Cepeda began his baseball journey in Puerto Rico and eventually made his way to the Giants in 1958. He quickly became a star player, forming a formidable lineup alongside Mays and Willie McCovey. His time with the Giants came to an end in 1966 when he was traded to the Cardinals. In his first season with St. Louis, Cepeda won the MVP award and led the team to a World Series victory.
Despite subsequent trades to other teams, Cepeda left a lasting legacy in baseball as a talented player and ambassador for the sport. His impact on the game will always be remembered.