Orlando Cepeda — a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and teammate of the deceased Willie Mays – died… according to statements from his family and MLB.
The Giants legend passed away at his home on Friday, according to his wife, Nídiawhile surrounded by family and listening to his favorite music. She says the family takes comfort in the fact that he is now at peace.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred remembers Orlando for his accomplishments on the field… as well as his role as one of the first Latin American players in the sport, who paved the way for more inclusion in baseball during the 1960s.
The “Baby Bull” broke into the MLB in 1958 with the San Francisco Giants… playing for the team for the next decade before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. He went on to play for the Braves, Athletics, Red 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.
Decades after retiring, he was elected to the MLB Hall of Fame – the second Puerto Rican player to receive the honor – and the Giants placed a statue of Orlando outside their stadium… cementing him as a MLB legend. franchise.
Orlando has dealt with racist attitudes toward Latino players throughout his career… including at his own club, where he fought with the coach Dark Alvin who insisted that all his players speak English in the dressing room.
As a Giant, Orlando played alongside Mays, who died earlier this month. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts — whose team faced the Giants in SF last night — noted the gloom in the stadium following the loss of the two stars.
Orlando was 86 years old.
TO TEAR APART