Hall of Fame slugger Orlando Cepeda has died at age 86, Major League Baseball announced on Friday:
MLB mourns the passing of Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda at the age of 86.
Known as “Cha-Cha” and “The Baby Bull,” Cepeda slugged 379 home runs, batted .297, and made 11 All-Star teams over 17 seasons.
He was unanimously selected as the NL Rookie of the Year in 1958 with the Giants. He was also a unanimous selection for the the NL MVP Award in 1967 when he helped lead the Cardinals to the World Series championship.
According to Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 in Sacramento, Cepeda’s wife Nydia released the following statement:
“Our beloved Orlando passed away peacefully at home this evening, listening to his favorite music and surrounded by his loved ones. We take comfort that he is at peace.”
Cepeda, a native of Puerto Rico, spent parts of 17 seasons in the majors with the New York/San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Oakland A’s, Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals. Over that decorated career, he amassed 2,351 hits, 379 home runs, 417 doubles, 142 stolen bases, 1,365 RBI and 50.1 WAR. An 11-time All-Star and former MVP, Cepeda was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
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