San Francisco Giants and Baseball Corridor of Famer Orlando Cepeda has died at 86 years previous, his household confirmed in a press release by way of the workforce on Friday evening.
The reason for dying was not introduced.
Cepeda’s dying comes simply 11 days after his teammate, Willie Mays, died at 93 years previous.
“We misplaced a real gentleman and legend,” Giants chairman Greg Johnson mentioned in a press release, in keeping with MLB.com “Orlando was an amazing ambassador for the sport all through his enjoying profession and past. He was one of many all-time nice Giants and he’ll really be missed.”
Cepeda’s spouse, Nydia, mentioned he was surrounded by his household and “listening to his favourite music” as he handed away at house.
Born in Puerto Rico, Cepeda, referred to as “The Child Bull,” got here as much as the large leagues in 1958 and shortly established himself as one of many premier gamers within the recreation, successful Nationwide League Rookie of the 12 months honors in the course of the Giants’ first yr in San Francisco after leaving New York.
Cepeda, additionally named Nationwide League MVP with the Cardinals in 1967, did all of it with the bat throughout his profession that noticed him attain 11 All-Star groups.
Arguably his most interesting season got here in 1961 when he led the NL in homers (46) and the majors in RBIs (142).
Cepeda, who additionally performed with the Braves, A’s, Royals and Purple Sox, completed his 17-year profession with 379 house runs and a .297/.350/.499 slash line.
In 1999, 5 years after falling off the Baseball Writers’ Affiliation of America poll, he was inducted into the Baseball Corridor of Fame by the Veterans Committee.
“That is really a tragic day for the San Francisco Giants,’’ Giants president and chief govt officer Larry Baer mentioned in a press release, per MLB. “For all of Orlando’s extraordinary baseball accomplishments, it was his generosity, kindness and pleasure that outlined him. Nobody liked the sport extra.”
