Orlando Cepeda, member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and legend of the San Francisco Giants, dies at the age of 86

Orlando Cepeda, a member of the San Francisco Giants and Baseball Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 86, his family confirmed in a statement through the team on Friday evening.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Cepeda’s death came just 11 days after the death of his teammate Willie Mays at the age of 93.

“We have lost a true gentleman and a legend,” Giants chairman Greg Johnson said in a statement, according to MLB.com. “Orlando was a great ambassador for the game throughout his playing career and beyond. He was one of the greatest Giants of all time and we will truly miss him.”

Cepeda’s wife, Nydia, said he was surrounded by his family and “listening to his favorite music” when he died at home.

Born in Puerto Rico, Cepeda, known as “The Baby Bull,” broke into the major leagues in 1958 and quickly established himself as one of the game’s best players. He was named the National League’s Rookie of the Year in the Giants’ first year in San Francisco after leaving New York.

Cepeda, who was also named National League MVP with the Cardinals in 1967, has accomplished everything with the bat during his career, making 11 All-Star teams.

Arguably his best season was 1961, when he led the NL in home runs (46) and the majors in RBIs (142).

Cepeda, who also played for the Braves, A’s, Royals and Red Sox, finished his 17-year career with 379 home runs and a slash line of .297/.350/.499.

In 1999, five years after being removed from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

“This is truly a sad day for the San Francisco Giants,” Giants President and CEO Larry Baer said in a statement, according to MLB. “For all of Orlando’s extraordinary accomplishments in baseball, it was his generosity, kindness and joy that set him apart. No one loved the game more.”