Orlando Cepeda, nicknamed the “Baby Bull,” passed away at the age of 86. He was one of the early Puerto Rican stars in the major leagues and became a Hall of Famer in 1999. Cepeda played as a designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox, a move that eventually led to his induction into the Hall of Fame. He had a successful career despite dealing with multiple knee surgeries. Cepeda was recognized as the DH of the Year in 1973, hitting .289 with 20 home runs and 86 RBIs. He was a seven-time All-Star and won the NL MVP in 1967 with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Throughout his career, Cepeda faced challenges such as a language barrier and legal troubles. He was convicted of smuggling marijuana in 1976 but eventually was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1999. Despite these obstacles, Cepeda had a successful career, hitting .297 with 379 home runs over 17 seasons in the major leagues.
His impact on the game of baseball was significant, and he paved the way for other Latin American players to succeed in the major leagues. Cepeda’s journey from Puerto Rico to the United States was not easy, but he overcame adversity to become a beloved figure in the baseball community.
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