Orlando Cepeda, a Hall of Famer and one of the early Puerto Rican stars in Major League Baseball, has passed away at the age of 86. Known as the “Baby Bull,” Cepeda made history by becoming Boston’s first designated hitter and ultimately was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1999. Despite knee issues that limited his career, Cepeda played in 17 seasons with various teams including the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and Atlanta Braves. He was a seven-time All-Star and won the NL MVP award in 1967.
Cepeda’s path to success in the sport he loved was not without challenges. He overcame a language barrier when he first arrived in the U.S. minor leagues in the 1950s and faced personal hardships, including the loss of his father and financial struggles. After his playing career ended, Cepeda was convicted of drug smuggling in 1976 but eventually turned his life around and was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.
In addition to his on-field achievements, Cepeda also made a significant impact on the game by being part of the first wave of designated hitters in the American League. He embraced the role, winning the DH of the Year award in 1973 despite battling knee injuries. Cepeda’s legacy extends beyond his playing days as he inspired a new generation of Latin American players to succeed in baseball and navigate the challenges of playing in a different culture.
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