Post by jefframp on Jun 30, 2024 7:47:07 GMT -8
Orlando Cepeda, a native of Puerto Rico, won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1958, the Giants’ first season in San Francisco after leaving New York City’s Polo Grounds. He hit .312 with 25 homers, 96 RBIs and an NL-best 38 doubles in 148 games.
Teammate Willie Mays said of Cepeda’s rookie season, “He is annoying every pitcher in the league. He is strong, he hits to all fields and he makes all the plays.”
Cepeda’s passing came just 10 days after Mays died on June 18.
Cepeda finished as MVP runner-up in 1961, when he slugged a league-high 46 home runs and a major-leagueleading 142 RBIs. He also was an 11-time All-Star, with eight of those honors coming in four consecutive seasons (1959-62) when the majors had two such games.
Teammate Willie Mays said of Cepeda’s rookie season, “He is annoying every pitcher in the league. He is strong, he hits to all fields and he makes all the plays.”
Cepeda’s passing came just 10 days after Mays died on June 18.
Cepeda finished as MVP runner-up in 1961, when he slugged a league-high 46 home runs and a major-leagueleading 142 RBIs. He also was an 11-time All-Star, with eight of those honors coming in four consecutive seasons (1959-62) when the majors had two such games.