Minneapolis Spokesman

Giants Boss Says
Cepeda Will Not
Be Traded Off

San Francisco (ANP) - Contrary to early reports, there is the firm belief here that San Francisco Giants first baseman Orlando Cepeda will not be put on the trading block.

The assurance was reportedly given by Horace Stoneham himself, the owner of the National League champions. Stoneham, it was reported, gave a fat "NO" to queries as to whether the slugging Puerto Rican would be put up for sale due to his prolonged late season and World Series batting slump.

Stoneham's confidence in Cepeda is believed to have be bolstered by the report last week that Orlando will not be hampered in the future by the so-called eye cataract for which he underwent tests here.

The tests show Orlando will not have to undergo an operation to correct the reported visual defect in his right eye.

There have been persistent reports that the Giants would be willing to trade Cepeda for a top pitcher in the American League. Rumors had it that the Giants would be willing to peddle him to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for pitcher Bill Monbouguette.

Stoneham said he wouldn't trade Cepeda "unless somebody made us an absolutely impossible offer that we couldn't refuse for a deal." He added that "there's nobody (on the 19 clubs in baseball) . . . who could mean as much to us as Orlando."

So it looks as though Cepeda will remain with the Giants, who will again bank on him to team with centerfielder Willie Mays and the rest of the San Francisco power boys to help the team to another pennant in 1963.

A .350 hitter midway in the season, Cepeda slumped to .306 at season's end.