R.I.P Orlando

[FrankWakefield]

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.