The legendary Puerto Rican baseball player, Orlando Cepeda, passed away on Friday at the age of 86, just 10 days after the passing of fellow Giants great Willie Mays. Cepeda was the first Puerto Rican player to start an MLB All-Star Game and went on to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 by the veterans committee.
Throughout his career, Cepeda achieved many accolades, including being an 11-time All-Star, an NL MVP, a World Series champion, and a Rookie of the Year. He was a key player for the Giants and had a significant impact on the team. However, his life took a downturn after retirement when he was arrested on drug trafficking charges. He spent time in prison but eventually returned to baseball as a scout and worked to rehabilitate his image.
Cepeda’s death comes just weeks after another iconic player from his era passed away – Willie Mays. The Giants honored Cepeda with a moment of silence before their game against the Los Angeles Dodgers when they announced his passing. His legacy in baseball and his contributions to the sport will always be remembered as one of the most feared power bats of his time and as a trailblazer for Puerto Rican baseball players.
