Tributes pour in for Hall of Fame baseball star Orlando Cepeda who dies at 86

Orlando Cepeda, the Hall of Famer who was one of the first Puerto Ricans to play in the major leagues, has died at age 86.

The San Francisco Giants and his family announced his passing on Friday night, and a moment of silence was observed at Oracle Park during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Our beloved Orlando passed away peacefully at home tonight, listening to his favorite music and surrounded by his loved ones,” his wife, Nydia, said in a statement released through the team. “We take comfort in knowing he is at peace.”

Cepeda’s death comes just 10 days after the death of fellow Giants Hall of Famer Willie Mays, at the age of 93.

“Man, what a slap in the face,” said Giants manager Bob Melvin, who grew up in the Bay Area and cheered on the team. “Another incredible personality and just loved here. A statue out front. The numbers he put up, there are a lot of legends here and he’s certainly right in the middle of it. It’s mind-boggling to have him so close to Willie.”

Cepeda, a slugging first baseman nicknamed “Baby Bull,” played for the Giants as well as St. Louis, Atlanta, Oakland, Boston and Kansas City. In the spring of 1969, the Cardinals traded Cepeda to the Braves for Joe Torre.

Cepeda, a seven-time All-Star who played in three World Series, was NL Rookie of the Year in 1958 with San Francisco and NL MVP in 1967 with St. Louis.

“Orlando Cepeda’s unabashed love of baseball shone through his extraordinary playing career, and later as one of the game’s enduring ambassadors,” said Hall of Fame Chair Jane Forbes Clark. “We will miss his beautiful smile at Hall of Fame Weekend in Cooperstown, where his spirit will forever shine, and we extend our deepest condolences to the Cepeda family.”