His exuberant play made him a fan favorite in San Francisco and St. Louis, but a drug conviction delayed his election to the Hall of Fame.
Orlando Cepeda, one of baseball’s most feared hitters in the 1950s and 1960s, who played in three World Series but whose path to the Hall of Fame was slowed by a drug conviction after his playing career ended, died Friday. He was 86.posted on the Giants’ website but did not provide further details.
“You have to remember that Orlando was the most popular player when the franchise moved from New York,” team owner and managing partner Peter MagowanIn the early 1960s, the Giants had one of the most formidable lineups in the NL, with Mays, Mr. Cepeda and a third Hall of Fame slugger,. During each of his first seven seasons, the right-handed-hitting Mr. Cepeda slugged no fewer than 24 home runs and drove in at least 96 runs.
During their years in San Francisco, Mr. Cepeda and McCovey alternated between left field and first base, leading to resentment from Mr. Cepeda, who believed he should have been the full-time first baseman. He also played in pain after injuring his right knee in a collision at home plate against the Dodgers in 1961., never grasped the severity of his injury, Mr. Cepeda said, and hinted that Mr. Cepeda was not playing hard enough.
“It’s not just his statistics,” teammate Mike Shannon said at the time. “It’s also what happens in the clubhouse. It’s intangible. I can’t really explain. Orlando is a prestige player, and we have him — the other clubs don’t.” His reputation was shattered in Puerto Rico, where he had been hailed as the island’s greatest baseball hero after the death of Pittsburgh Pirates star Roberto Clemente in a plane crash on Dec. 31, 1972.
After his drug conviction in the 1970s, Mr. Cepeda struggled for years to rebuild his life. He became a Buddhist and 1989 attended a game in San Francisco. He proved so popular with fans that the Giants hired him as a goodwill ambassador, a position he held until his death.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Orlando Cepeda, San Francisco Giant, baseball Hall of Famer, dead at 86Orlando Cepeda, the slugging first baseman nicknamed 'Baby Bull' who became a Hall of Famer among the early Puerto Ricans to star in the major leagues, has died. He was 86.
Read more »
Orlando Cepeda, Hall of Famer and 1967 NL MVP, dies at 86Hall of Fame slugger Orlando Cepeda, an 11-time All-Star who hit 379 home runs in his 17-year career, died at age 86, the Giants announced.
Read more »
Orlando Cepeda, San Francisco Giants Hall of Famer, Dies at 86The San Francisco Giants announced the passing of Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda, 86, on Friday night.
Read more »
How NBA Legend & Hall of Famer Jerry West Signed Shaq Away From the Orlando MagicOne of the game's most illustrious figures, Jerry West, died at the age of 86 on Wednesday. Along with his iconic playing career, he was one of the game's greatest execs and one of his biggest moves was signing Shaq away from the Orlando Magic.
Read more »
Future Detroit Tigers' Hall of Famer Visits Own Artifacts at Baseball Hall of FameFormer Detroit Tigers' legend and future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera stopped by the Baseball Hall of Fame this week and took in some of his own artifacts in a cool story.
Read more »
Orlando Cepeda, slugging Hall of Fame first baseman nicknamed 'Baby Bull,' dies at 86Orlando Cepeda, the slugging first baseman nicknamed “Baby Bull” who became a Hall of Famer among the early Puerto Ricans to star in the major leagues, has died
Read more »