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.

[NATCARD]

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