Grateful Cepeda honored with statue
09/07/2008

SAN FRANCISCO -- Saturday's dedication of the statue honoring Orlando Cepeda celebrated the man just as much as the ballplayer.
So did the statue itself.

The nine-foot bronze likeness of Cepeda that was unveiled in front of AT&T Park's Second Street entrance depicts the Hall of Famer standing tall in a San Francisco road uniform, with a ball in his right hand, his first baseman's glove in his left hand and a smile on his face. The pose suggests openness and friendliness, which was what sculptor William Behrends tried to achieve.

Behrends said that he and Giants managing general partner Peter Magowan discussed casting Cepeda's powerful swing. But Magowan ultimately preferred something different for Cepeda, remembered as the team's most popular player during their inaugural season in San Francisco in 1958.

"He really wanted it to be about Orlando's personality rather than his hitting or something else," said Behrends, who created the now-familiar sculptures of Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Juan Marichal that also surround AT&T Park.

Former Giants manager Dusty Baker, in absentia, provided a glimpse at the warmth Cepeda generated and inspired. Baker's son, Darren, read a tribute from his father, who played with Cepeda in Atlanta at the beginning of his Major League career and is now managing the Cincinnati Reds. Standing on a step ladder so he could reach the microphone, Darren relayed his father's message to his "uncle, confidant, friend and advisor," which recalled, "You're the one person I could talk to about anything."

One of Cepeda's sons, Ali, spoke emotionally of his father's insistence that his children greet people with a firm handshake and a direct look.

"There's not a day that goes by that I don't thank my dad," Ali said.

Magowan unblinkingly raised the subject of Cepeda's 1978 conviction for drug smuggling, which forced him to serve 10 months in prison.

"Step by step, he came back from the bottom," Magowan said.

Cepeda and the large crowd that gathered near the intersection of Second and King streets were further regaled by famed recording artist Jose Feliciano. Strumming an acoustic guitar, Feliciano sang two songs in honor of Cepeda, including the Bill Withers hit "Lean On Me" -- which prompted all-time home run leader Barry Bonds, a surprise guest, to clap rhythmically as he sat alongside Giants legends Mays, McCovey, Marichal and Gaylord Perry on the dais.

Cepeda expressed gratitude for the entire scene and the journey that led to it.

"When things like this happen in your life," he told the crowd, "that's when I say to myself, 'Orlando, you are a very lucky person.'"

Numerous Giants past and present sat in the baking sun to honor Cepeda, including manager Bruce Bochy, catcher Bengie Molina, Felipe Alou, Vida Blue, Mike Felder, Tito Fuentes, Ken Henderson, Bill Laskey, Mike McCormick and Rich Murray. Many of Cepeda's relatives and friends also were present, including Vera Clemente, widow of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, Cepeda's longtime friend and fellow Puerto Rican.

None of the VIPs received as much attention as Bonds, who drew sustained and repeated applause. Bonds also inspired calls for a statue to immortalize him, echoing remarks Cepeda made Friday.

"There's got to be room for another statue," former Giants broadcaster Lon Simmons said as he introduced Bonds. "The only thing that might slow down the decision is where to put it." Simmons suggested placing it in McCovey Cove, where many of Bonds' homers landed.

"I can't wait 'til they put up No. 25's statue," Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper exclaimed to the crowd.

Cepeda fanned the enthusiasm as he concluded his speech and long list of thank-yous by citing "my hero -- the best hitter, the best ballplayer ever to play this game -- Barry Bonds."