Remembering Orlando Cepeda

A truly great and gifted player, Orlando Cepeda, died days back at age 87, a scant 10 days after his longtime teammate, the great Willie Mays, left us at age 93. They averaged 90 years on earth, however, it is so sad that so many greats from “my time,” certainly one I greatly prefer, have died.

Cepeda known as “Baby Bull,” and “Cha Cha,” was an integral player on 4 teams, (3 different franchises), that finished first in the great National League in 8 seasons from (1962-1969).

Cepeda was the National League MVP in 1967, as a member of the world champion, St. Louis Cardinals. Additionally, his 1962 Giants and 1968 Cardinals won pennants, but were denied in 7 game World Series losses to the Yankees and Detroit Tigers respectively.

The ’67 World Series also went 7 games, with the Cardinals winning behind Bob Gibson’s 3 series triumphs, #7 on the actual Columbus Day (no school, so I saw it) at Fenway Park vs the Boston Red Sox.

Before the 1969 season, which was the first with divisional play (remember you still had to finish first) Cepeda was dealt by the Cards to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Joe Torre.

Atlanta won the first N.L. West crown (Atlanta in the West?!!), before being swept by the eventual champion New York Mets in 3 games.

Meanwhile the Cards faded. Joe Torre never made post-season play as a player, but ended up managing 4 World Series winners with the New York Yankees.

Incredible 1962 baseball, and oh the race between the Giants and the Dodgers. Look it up!

Phenomenal years for Willie Mays, Jack Sanford, Tommy Davis, Maury Wills and Don Drysdale. Sandy Koufax was on his way to perhaps his best season, but injury stopped it.

I cite Cepeda last, (35 HR’s), as I so vividly recall him hitting 46 home runs the season before (’61 to lead the N.L.) He could hit them out to right center, was unfairly denied earlier Hall status, why? because he possessed pot. UGH!

In the great 4 run Giants’ rally that transformed a “facing elimination” (4-2) / T9 deficit in the ’62, 165th game/3rd of the unscheduled playoff, in which the Giants, so incredibly replicated ’51, Orlando Cepeda drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly.

Orlando Cepeda, a great player from a great era of baseball, pictured above.

Maybe the great Lindsey Nelson who “stretched” Cepeda’s name so eloquently and memorably emphatically introduced Willie Mays late in the ’73 season, when Willie said “good bye to America,” is doing intros now for Willie, “Cha Cha” and others, as few can.