Legendary Oakland Athletics’ pitcher Vida Blue passes away at 73

Legends never Die: Vida Blue passes away at age 73

The baseball world lost one of its biggest names in the early 1970s as Vida Blue, the hard-throwing left-hander for the Oakland Athletics, passed away at the age of 73. Blue was a six-time All-Star, three-time twenty-game winner, and helped lead the Swingin’ A’s to three consecutive World Series titles from 1972-1974.

A Career that took the Baseball World by Storm

Vida Blue was a baseball phenomenon who had dominated the league at a young age. He won both the American League Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player title in 1971, at the age of 22, making him the youngest player ever to achieve this feat. Blue’s 209-161 record shows a testament to his longevity and skill in the game, putting him in the bracket of one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He played for seventeen seasons in total, including stints in Oakland, San Francisco, and Kansas City, with a 3.27 ERA, 2,175 strikeouts, 143 complete games, and 37 shutouts.

The Importance Of Vida Blue In The Bay Area

Blue was an icon for the Bay Area and had contributed significantly to the community, both on and off the diamond. Giants President Larry Baer acknowledged his achievements in a statement and stated: “His impact on the Bay Area transcends his 17 years on the diamond, with the influence he’s had on our community”. Blue will forever be remembered by the A’s organization as a franchise legend.

Blue’s Off-Field Issues and Suspension for cocaine possession

Even with his legendary status on the diamond, Blue’s life off the field had been filled with issues. In December 1977, he was set to be traded to the Cincinnati Reds for $1.75 million and minor league first baseman Dave Revering, but this was halted by the Commissioner’s authority to act in the “Best interest of baseball”. Additionally, in August 1983, he was released from the Kansas City Royals and was later found guilty of cocaine possession, and ordered to serve three months in federal prison with a fine of $5,000. This issue plagued his legacy, always haunting his off-field reputation, like many other stars across professional sports.

In conclusion

Vida Blue was no ordinary baseball player, and his success story will be remembered by baseball fans across the world. Despite being surrounded by controversies, Blue’s career was a fulfillment of the American dream, and his passion for the game will remain unmatched. Many from his time recall his left-handed throws, his 1971 MVP season, and leading the athletics to three straight World Series titles in awe and will continue sharing these stories about one of the best left-handed pitchers of all time.