Orlando Cepeda arrested

[Real Tribe Fan]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda was arrested after a California Highway Patrol officer pulled him over for speeding and discovered drugs in the car.

The former San Francisco Giants star was stopped about 3 p.m. Tuesday after his 2001 Lexus was clocked going 83 mph in a 65 mph zone on Interstate 80 in Cordelia, about 40 miles northeast of San Francisco, the CHP said.


While approaching the vehicle, "the officer smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the car," CHP Sgt. Wulf Corrington said Wednesday.

The CHP officer arrested Cepeda after finding a "usable" amount of a white-powder substance that likely was methamphetamine or cocaine, Corrington said. The officer also found marijuana and a syringe, he added.

The 69-year-old Cepeda was arrested on suspicion of felony possession of a controlled substance, along with possession of a hypodermic needle or syringe and possession of marijuana, both misdemeanors.

Cepeda works for the Giants as a community liaison and speaks to at-risk children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Giants spokeswoman Staci Slaughter said neither the team nor Cepeda would have an immediate comment about his arrest.

"The arresting officer did not see visible signs of intoxication or being under the influence," Corrington said.

Cepeda, alone at the time of the arrest, was booked and released from the Solano County Jail on Tuesday, Corrington said. Bail had been set at $12,600, according to the Solano County Jail log.

Cepeda has not yet been charged, and the Solano County District Attorney's office declined to comment on his arrest. The district attorney's office would not discuss potential sentences because it had not yet received a recommendation from the CHP.

The Giants said Cepeda had hired attorney Ted Cassman of Berkeley, who did not immediately return a telephone call.

After his playing career ended, Cepeda was convicted in 1976 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, of smuggling marijuana and sentenced to five years in prison.

That conviction was probably one reason he was not elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Cepeda eventually was elected by the Veterans Committee in 1999.

A first baseman during his 17 big league seasons, Cepeda started his career with the Giants and moved on to St. Louis, Atlanta, Oakland, Boston and Kansas City.

A seven-time All-Star who played in three World Series, Cepeda was known as "Baby Bull" and "Cha-Cha." He was the 1958 NL Rookie of the Year with San Francisco and the NL MVP in 1967 with St. Louis. In 1961, he led the National League with 46 home runs and 142 RBIs.

[hudsonharden]

This doesn't look good for Cepeda. I don't know what that drug laws are like in California, but in NY he could be looking at a felony if he had enough dope.

[FrenchyLefebvre]

Wasn't this guy pinched at an airport and/or caught giving kids pot, shortly before he was inducted to the HOF? Remember having some pretty heated debates over this, right along with Howe & Straw ...
"But illegal drugs are only crimes against society -- NOT baseball!!"

If the repetition of that statement (since the '80s) could be any indication, Barry Bonds should be receiving as big -- if not bigger standing ovations than Hank when he passes him. And Raffy & Mac's accomplishments would be recognized as well. It's only illegal drugs, after all... no rules in baseball against them ...

[KCGHOST]

This just re-inforces the adage about how to tell when a druggie is lying. Anytime he tells you he is clean now.

[west coast orange and black]

frenchy: Wasn't [Cepeda] pinched .... shortly before he was inducted to the HOF?

where did you get this?

[dl4060]

Wasn't this guy pinched at an airport and/or caught giving kids pot, shortly before he was inducted to the HOF? Remember having some pretty heated debates over this, right along with Howe & Straw ...
"But illegal drugs are only crimes against society -- NOT baseball!!"

If the repetition of that statement (since the '80s) could be any indication, Barry Bonds should be receiving as big -- if not bigger standing ovations than Hank when he passes him. And Raffy & Mac's accomplishments would be recognized as well. It's only illegal drugs, after all... no rules in baseball against them ...

There is a difference between the drugs Bonds is accused of using. They are performance enhancing. I really hope you understand the difference between recreational drug use and performance enhancing drug use, and why many people view them very differently in regards to the HOF. People can support Cepeda and not Bonds with no absurdity whatsoever. I have yet to hear of a player boosting his career numbers by snorting meth or smoking pot.

I know Cepeda was pinched a very long time ago, at an airport, and it held him out of the HOF for a while. I have never heard of him giving kids pot. The drugs Cepeda is accused of possessing are far more dangerous than pot. In California, (I believe) under an ounce of pot is a 100 dollar fine. Crystal Meth is far more dangerous.

I wish Cepeda the best of luck, Crystal Meth is a very dangerous drug which has destroyed countless lives.

[FrenchyLefebvre]

My point was that Illegal drugs are illegal drugs, and MLB never wanted to do anything about any illegal drugs their players were doing.

Coke was the illegal substance of choice in the '80s, just as Steroids became the illegal drug of choice in the subsequent "era". I would think that a good snort by Dwight and Howe gave them a little extra spunk and energy over the batters facing them, and the opposing pitcher. How many batters faced them during day games after night games, not all coked up as well?

Baseball handled the roids just as they'd handled the cokeheads (or any illegal substance, for that matter). And look what we've got.

Thing was (and is), illegal is illegal. Ahhh, but "Only crimes against society", though.

Thanks, DL4060 (yes iin the '70s). Apologies for the wrong info there.

Does anyone remember a stink in Puerto Rico where a (not yet, if memory serves) HOFer was caught selling pot to underaged? I really thought it was hearing about Orlando in the late '90s and remember arguing over his subsequent HOF vote.

My biggest beef is with baseball, as every drug was perfectly OK by them, it seemed. Only these particular illegal substances became an issue with Senator Bunning & Co.

[Real Tribe Fan]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Highway Patrol will recommend prosecutors charge baseball Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda with drug possession, a spokesman said Thursday.

The department will forward its report of Cepeda's arrest to the Solano County District Attorney's office on Friday, CHP Sgt. Wulf Corrington said.

The former San Francisco Giants star was stopped Tuesday after he was clocked driving 83 mph in a 65 mph zone on Interstate 80 in Cordelia, about 40 miles northeast of San Francisco. The 69-year-old Cepeda was arrested after the officer discovered marijuana and a white powder substance in his 2001 Lexus.

In its initial report, the CHP said the powder appeared to be cocaine or methamphetamine. Corrington said the substance was being tested.

The CHP will recommend Cepeda be charged with possession of a controlled substance, a felony, and two misdemeanors _ possession of a hypodermic syringe and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, Corrington said. The speed violation will be included.

Ted Cassman, a Berkeley attorney representing Cepeda, did not immediately return a call Thursday seeking comment. On Wednesday, however, Cassman said Cepeda was innocent and did not use illegal drugs.