SAN FRANCISCO — For the second time in as many weeks, the Giants lost a legend.
Orlando Cepeda, the 11-time All-Star inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1999, died Friday at the age of 86, his wife, Nydia, said in a statement released by the Giants.
“Our beloved Orlando passed away peacefully at home this evening, listening to his favorite music and surrounded by his loved ones,” Nydia said. “We take comfort that he is at peace.”
Cepeda’s death was announced between the fifth and sixth innings of the Giants’ game Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the crowd on hand honored the “Baby Bull” with a moment of silence. Giants players were taking the field for the top of the sixth, and many stopped and removed their caps.
Many Giants players also learned of Willie Mays’ death last week when it was announced between innings at Wrigley Field.
“We lost a true gentleman and legend,” Giants chairman Greg Johnson said in a statement. “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.”
Named the Rookie of the Year in 1958, the Giants’ first year in California, Cepeda went on to play 17 major-league seasons, including nine in San Francisco, where he earned 10 of his 11 All-Star appearances (MLB played two All-Star games per year from 1959-62) and slugged 226 of his 379 career home runs, including a league-high 46 while finishing second in MVP voting in 1961, eventually going on to win the award for the St. Louis Cardinals six years later.
Cepeda’s 142 RBIs in 1961 still stands as the Giants’ franchise record, and he ranks among the leaders in the San Francisco-era in RBIs (4th, 767), home runs (5th, 226), hits (6th, 1,286) and runs (9th, 652).
In 1,114 career games as a Giant, Cepeda hit .308 with 226 doubles, 22 triples, 226 homers, 767 RBI, 92 stolen bases and posted an .887 OPS.
Cepeda, late in his career, was named baseball’s top designated hitter in 1973, the first season with the position in the American League. Boston signed him the prior offseason following his release from the A’s. Due to a knee injury, he played just three games for the A’s after Oakland acquired him from the Braves the prior June for pitcher Denny McLain.
“That was one of the best years,” Cepeda said of his ’73 season in Boston, “because I was playing on one leg and I hit .289. And I hit four doubles in one game. Both my knees were hurting, and I was designated hitter of the year.”
“This is truly a sad day for the San Francisco Giants,” Giants CEO Larry Baer 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.”
Cepeda was a regular at Giants home games through the 2017 season until he dealt with some health challenges. He was hospitalized in the Bay Area in February 2018 following a cardiac event.
“Orlando Cepeda’s unabashed love for the game of baseball sparkled during his extraordinary playing career, and later as one of the game’s enduring ambassadors,” Hall of Fame Chairman Jane Forbes Clark said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.