Orlando Cepeda, a legendary player for the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, passed away at the age of 86. He was the first Puerto Rican player to start an MLB All-Star Game and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 via the veterans committee. Known for his power at the plate, Cepeda was one of the first great Puerto Rican baseball players.
Throughout his career, Cepeda was an 11-time All-Star, NL MVP, World Series champion, and Rookie of the Year. He was a key player for both teams and had numerous accomplishments under his belt. After retiring in 1974, he faced legal troubles when he was arrested for transporting marijuana. He spent time in prison but later worked to rehabilitate his image.
After returning to baseball as a scout, Cepeda converted to Buddhism and became a community ambassador for the Giants. Despite missing out on Hall of Fame enshrinement in 1994, he was later inducted by the veterans committee in 1999, becoming the second Puerto Rican player to receive the honor after Roberto Clemente. His passing marks the end of an era for baseball and leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.