Orlando Cepeda
| Birthdate | 9/17/1937 |
| Death Date | 6/28/2024 |
| Debut Year | 1958 |
| Year of Induction | 1999 |
| Teams | Athletics, Braves, Cardinals, Giants, Red Sox, Royals |
| Positions | First Base, Left Field |
Orlando Cepeda became the first player from Puerto Rico to start an All Star game in 1959; appeared in seven Mid Summer Classics.
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With 25 homers, 96 RBI and a league-leading 38 doubles, Cepeda was the Rookie of the Year in '58
With 25 homers, 96 RBI and a league-leading 38 doubles, Cepeda was the Rookie of the Year in '58
Orlando Cepeda was a 20-year-old when he made his major-league debut with the San Francisco Giants in 1958. That season marked the franchise’s first in San Francisco, and fans were eager to rally behind a true rising star. Right away, Cepeda earned their affection. He hit .312 with 25 home runs and drove in 96 runs in his rookie year. Meanwhile he also led the league with 38 doubles. His outstanding performance earned him a unanimous selection as National League Rookie of the Year.
Beyond the stats, Cepeda helped define the Giants’ move west and became a fan favorite in the City by the Bay. The fact that he began his major-league career exactly as the team settled into San Francisco made him feel like “one of our own.”
Shown here is an autographed Topps card signed by Cepeda. It comes from 1958 and marks the first time Cepeda’s image graced a baseball card.
Cepeda played for the Giants from 1958-1966 and represented them in six All Star Games
Cepeda played for the Giants from 1958-1966 and represented them in six All Star Games
After Orlando Cepeda’s Rookie of the Year breakthrough, he launched six straight All-Star seasons and became a feared slugger. From 1958 through 1964, he averaged 31.9 doubles, 31.7 homers, and 106.7 RBIs per year. During that span, he also hit .309 and slugged an impressive .547. Moreover, he gained MVP consideration four different times, showing his consistent impact on the league.
Cepeda’s peak season in San Francisco arrived in 1961. That year, he blasted 46 home runs and drove in 142 runs, both career highs and league-leading marks. The next year, he followed with 35 homers and 115 RBIs, powering the Giants to 103 victories and their first National League pennant since leaving New York.
Meanwhile, the Giants’ lineup shimmered with talent. Cooperstown men Willie Mays and Willie McCovey shared the field with Cepeda, while Hall of Fame hurlers Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry anchored the rotation. Together, they formed a core that looked ready to dominate baseball for years.
However, destiny intervened. In early 1965, Cepeda injured his knee while diving for a fly ball. The painful setback required surgery and restricted him to only 33 games. Doubts soon surfaced about whether he could ever return to his prior level.
Eventually, on May 8, 1966, San Francisco traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals, closing his chapter with the only team he had known.
Displayed here is a treasured photograph signed by Marichal, Perry, and Cepeda. Each Hall of Famer inscribed his induction year, honoring not just personal glory but the unforgettable golden era they shared in San Francisco.
Cepeda's league leading 46 home runs and 142 RBI were enough for a runner-up finish for the MVP in '61
Cepeda's league leading 46 home runs and 142 RBI were enough for a runner-up finish for the MVP in '61
In 1961, Orlando Cepeda delivered a season for the ages with the San Francisco Giants. At age 23, he played 152 games and logged 585 at-bats. He collected 182 hits, including 28 doubles and four triples. But the headline numbers were his 46 home runs and 142 RBIs—both league-leading totals. He put up a .311 batting average to compliment an incredible .609 while posting a .970 OPS.
Beyond the numbers, Cepeda displayed remarkable consistency and confidence at the plate throughout the season. His production earned him a 5.7 WAR, placing him among the elite hitters of the season. Despite all that, Cepeda did not capture the National League MVP award. Instead, he finished second in the voting, underscoring how fierce the competition was that season.
Writers selected Frank Robinson of the pennant-winning Cincinnati Reds as the league’s Most Valuable Player. Robinson, then only 25, launched 37 home runs, drove in 124 runs, and led the league with a .611 slugging percentage and a 164 OPS+. His all-around excellence—including speed, defense, and clutch hitting—helped him beat out Cepeda for the league’s top individual prize.
Shown here is a remarkable piece of baseball history: a team sheet signed by Robinson and 25 of his 1956 Reds mates. The autographs recall an era filled with young talent, fierce competition, and unforgettable performances. Together, Cepeda and Robinson embodied the strength and spirit of a golden age in Major League Baseball, inspiring fans and players alike for generations to come.
Orlando Cepeda earned an MVP and played in two World Series in his three season in St. Louis
Orlando Cepeda earned an MVP and played in two World Series in his three season in St. Louis
After a devastating knee injury in 1965, many doubted Orlando Cepeda would ever regain his star form. Among the doubters were his own team, the San Francisco Giants who traded him to Cardinals in 1966.
That move transformed both Cepeda’s career and the Cardinals’ future. With his leadership, power, and determination, St. Louis captured back-to-back National League pennants and reignited its championship spirit.
During his first full season with the Cardinals in 1967, Cepeda silenced every critic. He powered the team to 101 victories by blasting 25 home runs and driving in a league-best 111 runs. Moreover, his outstanding .325 batting average, .399 on-base percentage, and .524 slugging percentage showcased his dominance. Those stellar numbers earned him the 1967 National League Most Valuable Player Award.
That same year, the Cardinals won 101 games and defeated the Boston Red Sox in a thrilling seven-game World Series. Although Cepeda’s production dipped in 1968, the Cardinals again captured the National League crown. Behind Bob Gibson’s remarkable MVP season—highlighted by a 22–9 record and a 1.12 ERA—the team charged into another World Series appearance.
In the 1968 Fall Classic, Cepeda did his part, hitting two home runs and driving in six runs to fuel St. Louis’s offense. Meanwhile, in Game 1, two-time World Series MVP Gibson delivered one of baseball’s greatest pitching performances, striking out 17 batters to set the October record. He returned in Game 4 with another masterpiece, a complete-game five-hitter featuring ten strikeouts. Yet, when the Series reached Game 7, Gibson finally faltered. Detroit’s Mickey Lolich outdueled him, earning his third win and the Series MVP honors.
Displayed here is a PSA-authenticated ticket from Game 1 of the 1968 World Series, signed by Gibson with the proud inscription: “17Ks World Series Record.”
In 1969 Cepeda was traded straight up for Joe Torre
In 1969 Cepeda was traded straight up for Joe Torre
Orlando Cepeda’s exciting run in St. Louis ended when the Cardinals traded him to Atlanta for Joe Torre. The deal, finalized on March 17, 1969, was officially recorded in the above document that captured this remarkable baseball moment.
On St. Patrick’s Day, both teams agreed to a straight-up swap, sending two stars in new directions. The Braves received Cepeda, who had earned the National League Most Valuable Player award just two years earlier. Meanwhile, the Cardinals gained Torre, a talented catcher and hitter who later won the MVP award in 1971.
This transaction stands out in baseball history for its rarity and balance. It is not often that two future Most Valuable Players are exchanged one-for-one at the height of their careers. The trade reflected bold decision-making from both front offices, each hoping to spark new success.
At the bottom of the document is the signature of Veterans Committee candidate Cardinals general manager Bing Devine. Today, the document reminds fans of baseball’s unpredictable nature, where even MVPs can change uniforms overnight.
Cepeda’s final 6 years were with the Braves, A’s, Red Sox & Royals
Cepeda’s final 6 years were with the Braves, A’s, Red Sox & Royals
After the trade in March 1969 that sent Orlando Cepeda from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Atlanta Braves, he wasted no time proving his value. The Braves, bolstered by his bat alongside Hank Aaron, captured the inaugural National League West title in 1969, with Cepeda hitting .257, slugging 22 home runs, and driving in 88 runs.
In 1970 he delivered one of his best seasons: a .305 average, 34 home runs, and 111 RBIs over 148 games. That campaign confirmed that the Braves’ investment paid off — Cepeda remained a dangerous hitter in the heart of their lineup.
Moreover, Cepeda also drew MVP consideration during his Atlanta tenure. In 1969 he received votes in the National League MVP balloting. Later, in 1973 — during his time with the Boston Red Sox as a designated hitter — he again earned MVP support in the American League.
Cepeda wrapped up his career in 1974 with the Royals and retired at the end of the season. Over the course of his 17-yaer career, Cepeda compiled 2,351 hits, 417 doubles, 379 home runs and 1,365 RBI while posting an OPS+ of 133.
Shown here are a pair of signed baseball cards one with the Braves and one with the Cardinals.
Orlando Cepeda was inducted into the Hall of Fame with three others in 1999
Orlando Cepeda was inducted into the Hall of Fame with three others in 1999
Orlando Cepeda was given baseball’s highest honor on July 25, 1999 when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Sunday ceremony included three other immortals, Robin Yount, George Brett, and Nolan Ryan. Each of the three played played against Cepeda.
Orlando played for the Boston Red Sox in Brett’s first year in the bigs in 1973. The following season the two were Kansas City teammates in Cepeda’s final season as a major leaguer. That coincided with Yount’s first season at baseball’s highest level.
The 1958 Rookie of the Year, Cepeda earned the MVP Award in Ryan’s debut season of 1966. In 32 career at bats against Ryan, Cepeda hit .188 with three homers, seven RBI and five strikeouts in 32 at bats.
Shown here is Ryan’s autograph on a ticket to Game 3 of the 1969 World Series. The game proved to be The Express’ only Fall Classic appearance. He made the most of it, earning the save.
