Vida Blue, a dominating left-hander who helped the Oakland Athletics win three straight World Series championships from 1972-74, died on Saturday. He was 73.
“There are few players with a more decorated career than Vida Blue,” the A’s stated in an announcement. “He was a three-time champion, an MVP, a six-time All-Star, a Cy Young Award winner, and an Oakland A’s Hall of Famer. Vida will always be a franchise legend and a friend. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this arduous time.”
One of the dominant beginning pitchers of the Nineteen Seventies, Blue debuted at age 19 in 1969, the franchise’s second 12 months after transferring to Oakland. His profession began slowly, however quickly constructed into one of many key cogs for the group generally known as the Swingin’ A’s for its expertise and swagger.
In September 1970, Blue confirmed what was to return. Two begins after throwing a one-hit shutout towards the Royals in Kansas City, Blue tossed a no-hitter againt the Minnesota Twins, putting out 9 and permitting just one batter to achieve base on a fourth-inning stroll. At 21 years and 55 days outdated, Blue stays the youngest participant because the begin of the Live Ball Era in 1920 to throw a no-hitter.
Blue gained the 1971 AL Cy Young and MVP Awards after going 24-8 with a 1.82 ERA and 301 strikeouts over 312 innings. He went on to make six All-Star groups throughout a 17-year profession that noticed him spend time with the Giants and Royals along with the A’s.
No data on survivors or memorial plans was instantly obtainable.
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