Orlando Cepeda | 84

Orlando Cepeda is someone who genuinely needs no introduction. For those who may not know him as well, he is a legendary San Francisco Giants baseball player, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, in part for his remarkable achievements during the time he was on that team (1958-1966). He is originally from Puerto Rico and in the interview talks about what it was like to come to San Francisco and getting to know the city as a young man and the excitement of playing for the Giants in those early years of his remarkable career.

He is the one person who, when interviewed, no longer lives in San Francisco. He has moved just outside the city. But we hope you will forgive us this one transgression, as for many people his legacy is a proud part of our city’s. He also had an initial interview in 2020 with John and Nicky Trasviña, but the audio was hard to use and we regret losing that time with him. However, it shows his and his family’s remarkable generosity to allow our project to come back and have more of his time to speak with him again.

Interview date: 3/4/22

Interviewed by: Anna Chodos and Angela Johnston (first interview by John Trasviña and Nicky Trasviña on 8/1/20)

Referred by: Nicky Trasviña

Orlando Cepeda 2022. Photo by Anna Chodos.

Orlando Cepeda at the Lindsay Wildlife Experience in 2021. Courtesy of Orlando Cepeda.

A painting commemorating his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

A photo of Orlando with his mother in the 1950s. Courtesy of Orlando Cepeda.