Orlando Cepeda —a Baseball Hall of Fame player and teammate of the deceased Willie Mays – died… according to statements from his family and the MLB.
The Giants legend passed away at his home on Friday, according to his wife, Nidiawhile surrounded by family and listening to his favorite music. She says the family is comforted that he is now at peace.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred remembered Orlando for his achievements on the field…as well as his position as one of the first Latin American players in the game that paved the way for more inclusion in baseball during the 1960s.
The “Child Bull” broke into MLB again in 1958 with the San Francisco Giants…taking over for the team for the next decade before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. He went on to play for the Braves, Athletics, Crimson Sox and Royals.
Over his 17-year career, Cepeda earned 11 All-Star Game appearances, an MVP award, a Rookie of the Year award and a World Series Championship in 1967 with the Cardinals.
Long after retiring, he was elected to the MLB Hall of Fame — the second Puerto Rican player to receive the glory — and the Giants placed a statue of Orlando outside the stadium… cementing him as a franchise legend.
Orlando has dealt with racist attitudes towards Latino players throughout his career… including at his own club, where he fought the coach Alvin Dark who insisted that all his players speak English in the dressing room.
As Large, Orlando performed alongside Mays, who delivered earlier this month. Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts — whose team faced the Giants in SF last night — noted the darkness in the stadium after losing both celebrities.
Orlando was 86 years old.
TO TEAR APART
The post Orlando Cepeda, Baseball Hall of Famer and Giants Legend, Dead at 86 first appeared on All celebrities.