SF Giants hall-of-famer Orlando Cepeda dies at age 86

Jun 29, 2024, 11:47 AM | Updated: 11:50 am

Orlando Cepeda, fist baseman for the San Francisco Giants, has played in eleven All-Star games and three World Series.

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

It’s been a tough month for sports fans alike, with Friday’s news of Orlando Cepeda passing on even more heartbreaking.

The San Francisco Giants announced Friday evening that baseball hall-of-famer Orlando Cepeda had died at the age of 86. The statement came during the Giants’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the news being annocued at Oracle park shortly thereafter.

The MLB has also released a statement regarding Cepeda’s passing.

MLB mourns the passing of Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda at the age of 86.

Known as “Cha-Cha” and “The Baby Bull,” Cepeda slugged 379 home runs, batted .297, and made 11 All-Star teams over 17 seasons.

He was unanimously selected as the NL Rookie of the Year in 1958 with the… pic.twitter.com/9ne5NDkHfP

— MLB (@MLB) June 29, 2024

“Our beloved Orlando passed away peacefully at home this evening, listening to his favorite music and surrounded by his loved ones,” his wife Nydia said via the MLB’s statement. “We take comfort that he is at peace.”

“We lost a true gentleman and legend”, Giants Chairman Greg Johnson said. “Orlando was a great ambassador for the game throughout his playing career and beyond. He was one of the all-time great Giants and he will truly be missed. Our condolences go out to the Cepeda family for their tremendous loss and we extend our thoughts to Orlando’s teammates, his friends, and to all those touched by his passing.”

“This is truly a sad day for the San Francisco Giants,’’ Larry Baer, Giants President and Chief Executive Officer added. “For all of Orlando’s extraordinary baseball accomplishments, it was his generosity, kindness and joy that defined him. No one loved the game more. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Nydia, his five children, Orlando, Jr., Malcolm, Ali, Carl and Hector, his nine grandchildren, his one great granddaughter as well as his extended family and friends.”

Orlando Cepeda, known as “Cha Cha” or “The Baby Bull”, was a Giants pioneer in major league baseball, a part of the first west coast giants squad in 1958. He was a former MLB MVP, an 11-time all-star and still holds the SF-era (1958-pres.) single-season mark for the most RBI in a season with his 142 in 1961.

He also won the 1967 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals.

“It just pains me to have to pass along more really sad news. What a tough time it is for our Giants,” broadcaster Dave Flemming said Friday while sharing the news with listeners.

“It hurts to lose him. He was such a gentle soul. He was such a good man,” commentator Mike Krukow added on the broadcast.