Remembering Orlando Cepeda
Orlando Cepeda - The Baby Bull
1937 - 2024“Our beloved Orlando passed away peacefully at home this evening, listening to his favorite music and surrounded by his loved ones,” said his wife Nydia. “We take comfort that he is at peace.”
“We lost a true gentleman and legend,” said Giants Chairman Greg Johnson. “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,’’ said Larry Baer, Giants President and Chief Executive Officer. “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 5 children, Orlando, Jr., Malcolm, Ali, Carl and Hector, his 9 grandchildren, his one great granddaughter as well as his extended family and friends.”
Celebration of Life
The San Francisco Giants and the family of Orlando Cepeda will remember and honor the remarkable life of the Baby Bull with a pregame ceremony during the team’s annual Fiesta Gigantes — one of Orlando's favorite events. Fiesta Gigantes is a celebration of Hispanic culture, with dancing and musical performances, and recognition of local community groups serving our Hispanic communities.
WHAT: Celebration of Life for Orlando Cepeda
WHEN: Sunday, September 15 at 12:30 p.m. Prior to the Giants vs. Padres game at 1:05 p.m. Gates open at 11:05 a.m.
WHERE: Oracle Park - 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco
ATTENDANCE: Fans interested in attending will need a ticket to the Sunday, September 15 game.
CONDOLENCES: For those wishing to offer their condolences, letters may be sent to: The Cepeda Family - Care of the San Francisco Giants, Attention: Forever 30, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94107. Or, open every gameday, fans can visit the Willie Mays “Say Hey” Experience to sign a the condolences book.
Life & Legacy
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999, Cepeda was a 10-time All-Star in eight-plus years with the Giants from 1958-1966. Cepeda was a part of the first Giants club on the West Coast, debuting with the Giants on April 15, 1958. That season he went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year award after hitting .312 with an NL-best 38 doubles, four triples, 25 homers and 96 RBI in 148 games. From there he was named an All-Star in each of his next six seasons from 1959-1964. (note from 1959-1962 Major League Baseball played two All-Star Games each season and Cepeda was selected to all eight of those games).
The Baby Bull still holds the SF-era (1958-pres.) single-season mark for the most RBI in a season with his 142 in 1961. He also still ranks among the leaders in the SF-era in RBI (4th, 767), home runs (5th, 226), runs (9th, 652) and hits (6th, 1,286). 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.
After leaving San Francisco he was named the National League MVP in 1967 as a member of the Cardinals. He batted .325 with 37 doubles, 25 homers and a league-best 111 RBI. Cepeda also earned his 11th and final All-Star nod that season as well.
He played the ’68 season with the Cardinals before joining the Braves (1969-1972), A’s (1972), Red Sox (1973) and Royals (1974). He finished his 17-year career with a lifetime batting average of .297 with 417 doubles, 379 home runs, 1,365 RBI and 142 stolen bases. He appeared in three World Series, winning one in 1967 with St. Louis, and hit over .300 nine times in his distinguished career.
When the Ponce, PR native took his place in the Hall of Fame in 1999 he was only the second player ever from Puerto Rico to reach Hall status besides the great Roberto Clemente. Two weeks prior to his induction, the Giants retired his #30 on July 11, 1999 during ceremonies at Candlestick Park.
In 1993, the Baby Bull was also inducted into the Puerto Rico Sports Hall of Fame, while in 1999, he was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame for his great years with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2004, he was one of four men to receive the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association’s Achievement Award, the MLBPAA’s highest alumni honor. He was joined by Jim Bunning, Al Kaline and Roger Maris.
Off the field, Cepeda spent the last 33 years as a Community Ambassador for the Giants and was a member of the Giants Community Fund Advisory Board. In his role, Cepeda visited hospitals, senior centers and inner-city schools in the Bay Area and throughout the United States, speaking to at-risk children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. A practicing Buddhist for over 40 years, he was a member of the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist community. He also served as the honorary spokesman for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, Meals on Wheels San Francisco, Muttville Senior Dog Rescue and the Curry Senior Center.
He was survived by his wife, Nydia.
Donations
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to SGI-USA by mailing a check to 2450 17th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110 or online to the Giants Community Fund.