Orlando Cepeda: It's Not Mine, Officer!

Former San Francisco Giants star and Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda was stopped Tuesday afternoon when his Lexus was clocked at 83 mph in a 65 mph zone on Interstate 80 in Cordelia, CA.

The officer who approached the vehicle "smelled marijuana coming from the car" and started a search. The 69-year-old Cepeda was then arrested on suspicion of felony possession of a controlled substance after the officer found a powdery, white substance assumed to be cocaine, some pot and a syringe.

Of course, Cepeda's attorney, Ted Cassman claims "[Cepeda] does not use, and was not under the influence of any illegal substance." He went on to say, "This is an unfortunate misunderstanding, and we intend to meet promptly with the authorities to explain that Orlando was not responsible for any illegal substance in the car."

Cassman said the grass was medical marijuana used by a family member who has diabetes. When questioned about the white powder, Cassman said he had no specific comment.

Alone at the time of the arrest, Cepeda was booked and released from the Solano County Jail on a $12,600 bond the same day.

Unfortunately for Cepeda's reputation, he works for the Giants as a community liaison and speaks to at-risk children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

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 likely the reason he was not elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA - but was eventually elected by the Veterans Committee in 1999.

Cepeda was a .297 career hitter with 379 home runs and 1,365 RBIs over 17 big league seasons. As a seven-time All-Star first baseman, he was awarded the 1958 NL Rookie of the Year award with San Francisco and the NL MVP in 1967 with St. Louis. In 1961, he led the NL with 46 homers and 142 RBIs.

[San Francisco Chronicle] | [MLB Fanhouse]