Baseball legend Orlando Cepeda, known as the 'Baby Bull,' has died at the age of 86, as confirmed by his family through the San Francisco Giants. His wife, Nydia, shared that Cepeda passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones while listening to his favorite music.
Cepeda, an 11-time All-Star, enjoyed a remarkable 17-season career in Major League Baseball, playing for teams such as the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals. He concluded his career with impressive stats, including a .297 batting average, 379 home runs, and 1,365 RBIs.
Debuting with the Giants in 1958, Cepeda quickly made a name for himself, winning the National League Rookie of the Year award in his first season. His partnership with Willie Mays helped the Giants secure the National League pennant in 1962.
Despite battling knee injuries, Cepeda's talent shone through, leading him to win the NL MVP award in 1967 with the Cardinals. He remains one of only two players in National League history to secure both Rookie of the Year and MVP honors unanimously.
Following successful stints with the Cardinals and Braves, Cepeda retired in 1974 after a brief tenure with the Kansas City Royals. His career was marred by legal troubles in 1975 but was later redeemed when he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 by the Veterans Committee.
The Giants honored Cepeda by retiring his jersey number, 30, and erecting a statue in his likeness outside Oracle Park in 2008. His legacy as a true gentleman and baseball legend lives on, leaving a lasting impact on the sport and those who had the privilege of watching him play.
