R.I.P Orlando
 

Awful 2 weeks as we lost 2 great Hall of Famers. First Willie and now Orlando Cepeda.

Back in the 60's I was a huge Met fan. Never liked the Giants. Always knew that when the Mets went against the 2 Willies and Orlando, that we would end up losing. They were awesome players and I am sure they were feared by many.

A great loss for all.

Wow. He was one of my favorites. He and Willie Mays were a big part of that 1962 Giants team that went 7 games with the Yankees in the World Series and could very easily have won it. I also liked him with the Cardinals.

Sad. RIP, sir...

Classact

El Birdos were good in 67

Orlando overcame many obstacles, but finished his life with style, grace, and honesty. He was the second person from Puerto Rico elected to the Hall of Fame, right beside the great Roberto Clemente. A big loss for baseball.

He was signing at shows just recently. Adios gran jugador y buen persona.

RIP Orlando Cepeda
 

Well-loved 1959 Topps

As loveable as any PSA 10. RIP

The 59 was a great card

Let's not forget Orlandos father, Pedro "Perucho" Cepeda, a hard hitting shortstop known as the "Puerto Rican Babe Ruth", also known as "The Bull", ergo Orlandos moniker as the Baby Bull.

I named my 115 lb rescue German Shepherd after the great SF Giant.

RIP Baby Bull.

The Topps 1967 Orlando Cepeda is my favorite. R.I.P.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/rLcAA...94/s-l1600.jpg

Yowza!!! Saw him at a show out here last fall and he still looked hale and hearty as he sat sipping his Jamba Juice. What a shame. Rest in peace, Baby Bull.

Attachment 626588

Feeling blessed to have recently gotten this one signed by Orlando just last month. RIP legend.

Orlando, hell of a hitter and could really turn on the fastball. Also, 1’st DH in Red Sox history and one of the 1’st 2 ever. RIP Sir.

My favorite Cepeda card, showing his 1967 MVP stats on back:

https://caimages.collectors.com/psai...379/Cepeda.jpg

I don't have any Orlando to share but I do hope his father can join him in Cooperstown one day:

https://live.staticflickr.com/4373/3...c8191ac9_w.jpg

RIP Orlando!

https://photos.imageevent.com/derekg...7%20Cepeda.jpg

April 15, 1958 Opening Day in San Francisco, for the first MLB game on the west coast, Orlando gets his first career hit, a home run.

April 19, 1958 Los Angeles Coliseum, Orlando gets his second career hit, also a homer.

Tough couple of weeks. RIP to a legend.

My fav Cepeda card in my PC

https://i.ibb.co/b6Bjf0p/PXL-20240506-215137500.jpg

Great items Doug

+1 on that!

Am I the only one whose mind was bent by this optical illusion??

When I was a wee lad looking at the famous 1975 Topps MVP cards, every time I glanced at the 1967 version, my brain just assumed Orlando Cepeda was a catcher. The back of the police officer combined with the black signature leading into the red 8, seemed to be the makings of a chest protector to my young eyes. Hat orientation aside, it was as if he unsuccessfully chased a foul pop up into the stands and the photog snapped a picture.

I have never looked at this card and NOT seen that...

Attachment 626671

RIP Orlando.

Here's a 1967 Type 1 photo from a cool perspective.

I clicked on this thread because I thought ... errr ... Joe Orlando had passed away or something like that :eek::eek::eek: "Orlando" could mean anyone, right??

Even as a toddler, dragging my wiffle ball bat around the front yard, I knew chest protectors were worn on... the chest. :-)

Yes, with the straps on the back and sides, hence what I was referring to...

Attachment 627176

Just now hearing about this. RIP

As a kid, I attended about 8 to 10 regular season games in 1967. Cepeda got to be known as Cha Cha. Mom, who seldom was interested in baseball souvenirs, wanted a pin. These pin-backed pins were about 3" in diameter, white, with red and black ink. had a Cardinal drawn swinging a bat (mightily), and on there was text, that I'm pretty sure said "Bravo, Bravo El Birdos!" I think Cepeda referred to his teammates as El Birdos when he was interviewed for The Star of The Game on the Cardinals Radio Network. I now have that pin... I think it's from 1967, but 1966 could be right. Cepeda could muscle home runs in that long fenced, humid Busch Memorial Stadium. If I find that pin, I'll post a scan. Cepeda's enthusiasm was contagious that year.

RIP My Friend
 

I have been friends with Orlando since the late 1970's. Most of you know I have am always searchin for Cepeda items and have bought many from memebers of this site. I have, what I believe is the largest collection of Cepeda items in the world. Now over 3,000. At one point, a few years ago, in order for Orlando to see what I had amassed, I created a video. It can be seen at his web site which I have owned forever. If you want to watch it, it can be seen at www.orlandocepeda.com.
RIP my friend. There is a giant gaping hole in my heart right now. Jeff W