Orlando Cepeda, the slugging first baseman nicknamed “Baby Bull” who became a Hall of Famer among the early Puerto Ricans to star in the major leagues, has died at 86.
Braves first baseman Orlando Cepeda poses for a photo in 1970, location not known. Cepeda, the slugging first baseman nicknamed “Baby Bull” who became a Hall of Famer among the early Puerto Ricans to star in the major leagues, has died. He was 86. SAN FRANCISCO — Orlando Cepeda, the slugging first baseman nicknamed “Baby Bull” who became a Hall of Famer among the early Puerto Ricans to star in the major leagues, has died. He was 86.
One of the first Puerto Rican stars in the majors but limited by knee issues, he became Boston’s first designated hitter and credits his time as a DH for getting him enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 1999 as selected by the Veteran’s Committee. He didn’t know what it would mean for his career, acknowledging, “I didn’t know anything about the DH.” The experiment worked out beautifully for Cepeda, who played in 142 games that season — the second-to-last in a decorated 17-year major-league career. The A’s had released Cepeda only months after acquiring him from Atlanta on June 29, 1972.
He said then-A’s owner Charlie Finley sent him a telegram to call him within a 24-hour period or he’d be released. Cepeda didn’t meet the deadline and was let go in December 1972. He played in only three games for Oakland after the A’s acquired him for pitcher Denny McLain. Cepeda was placed on the disabled list with a left knee injury. He had 10 knee operations in all, sidelining him four different years.
“That was one of the best years,” Cepeda recalled, “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.” “From there I went to Puerto Rico and when I came back here, I had to come back because we didn’t have no money and my mother said, ‘You’ve got to go back and send me money, we don’t have money to eat,’ ” he said.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Orlando Cepeda, the Hall of Fame first baseman nicknamed 'Baby Bull,' dies at 86The Associated Press
Read more »
Orlando Cepeda, slugging Hall of Fame first baseman nicknamed 'Baby Bull,' has died at 86The lawsuit says Koty Stewart, the Jacksonville man killed in the shooting, was shot and killed because Ginnie Springs failed to provide adequate security.
Read more »
Orlando Cepeda, slugging Hall of Fame first baseman nicknamed 'Baby Bull,' dies at 86Orlando Cepeda, the slugging first baseman nicknamed “Baby Bull” who became a Hall of Famer among the early Puerto Ricans to star in the major leagues, has died
Read more »
Orlando Cepeda, slugging Hall of Fame first baseman nicknamed 'Baby Bull,' has died at 86This follows more than 10 years of advocacy by Pride SA to recognize the cultural significance of the neighborhood off North Main between Ashby and Euclid.
Read more »
Orlando Cepeda, slugging Hall of Fame first baseman nicknamed 'Baby Bull,' has died at 86Visitors to the Marion County Fair can check out the show by 'Twiggy,' the world-famous water-skiing squirrel.
Read more »
Orlando Cepeda, slugging Hall of Fame first baseman nicknamed 'Baby Bull,' has died at 86Michael Glynn ate alone every Friday until he posted a lunch invite to his neighbors. Now he eats out with more than a dozen people a week.
Read more »