June 29th 2024.
The city of San Francisco was hit with a wave of sadness as the news of another Giants legend passing away spread. Orlando Cepeda, a beloved 11-time All-Star who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, passed away at the age of 86. His wife, Nydia, shared the heartbreaking news in a statement released by the Giants.
Nydia revealed that Orlando passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his loved ones and listening to his favorite music. Although the loss is devastating, she finds solace in knowing that he is now at peace.
The news of Cepeda's death was announced during the Giants' game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the crowd paid their respects with a moment of silence. As the players took the field for the top of the sixth inning, many of them paused to remove their caps in honor of the "Baby Bull." This was the second time in just two weeks that the Giants had to say goodbye to a legend, as they also mourned the loss of Willie Mays the previous week.
In a statement, Giants chairman Greg Johnson expressed his sorrow and admiration for Cepeda, calling him a true gentleman and legend. He praised Cepeda for his ambassadorship of the game both on and off the field and acknowledged his impact on the Giants organization. Johnson extended his condolences to the Cepeda family and all those affected by his passing.
Cepeda's legacy on the Giants is undeniable. He was named the Rookie of the Year in 1958 and went on to play 17 seasons in the major leagues, including nine with the Giants. He earned 10 of his 11 All-Star appearances while playing in San Francisco and hit 226 of his 379 career home runs with the team. In 1961, he finished second in MVP voting and later won the award in 1967 with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Cepeda's name is etched in Giants history, as he still holds the franchise record for RBIs in a single season with 142 in 1961. He also ranks among the leaders in RBIs, home runs, hits, and runs in the San Francisco-era. During his time with the Giants, he had a batting average of .308 with 226 doubles, 22 triples, and 767 RBIs.
Giants CEO Larry Baer also shared his condolences, acknowledging Cepeda's extraordinary accomplishments in baseball but highlighting his generosity, kindness, and love for the game as his defining qualities. Baer extended his heartfelt sympathies to Nydia, their five children, and the rest of the Cepeda family.
Cepeda was a regular presence at Giants home games until 2017 when he faced some health challenges. He was hospitalized in February 2018 after experiencing a cardiac event. This news is still developing, and updates will be provided as they become available. Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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