Former A's, Giants pitcher Vida Blue dies at 73
Left-handed pitcher Vida Blue, who won the 1971 AL Cy Young and MVP awards as a 21-year-old, and was a member of three World Series championship teams with the Oakland A's has died at the age of 73.
Blue's death was confirmed on Sunday by the A's in a statement that called him "a franchise legend and a friend."
Blue made his MLB debut with the A's as a teenager in 1969, but didn't make an impact until his breakout season two years later. On a powerful Oakland team that included the likes of Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter and Sal Bando, Blue emerged as the A's best player -- going 24-8 on the mound with a league-leading eight shutouts and 1.82 ERA.
Rest in peace, Vida 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/MXHRuRFfjH
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 7, 2023
Blue went on to win 124 games and make three All-Star appearances with the A's, helping lead them to World Series titles in 1972, 1973 and 1974.
In 1978, Blue was traded across the Bay to the San Francisco Giants, where he earned three more All-Star berths in four seasons. In his first season with the Giants, he became the first pitcher in baseball history to start the All-Star Game for both leagues, after getting the nod with the A's in 1971. Since then, four other pitchers -- Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Roy Halladay and Max Scherzer -- have accomplished the feat.
Blue spent two years in Kansas City before he was released and ordered to serve three months in federal prison for cocaine possession. After sitting out two seasons, Blue returned to the majors for two final years with the Giants, before retiring after the 1986 season.
He finished with a record of 209-161 and a 3.27 career ERA.
His death was mourned by many in the baseball community, including protege Dave Stewart, an All-Star and four-time 20-game winner with the A's.
"Vida Blue rest in peace, my mentor, hero, and friend," Stewart wrote on Twitter. "There are no words for what you have meant to me and so many others."
Vida Blue rest in peace, my mentor, hero, and friend. I remember watching a 19 year old phenom dominate baseball, and at the same time alter my life. There are no words for what you have meant to me and so many others. My heart goes out to the Blue family🙏🏿🙏🏿
— Dave “Smoke” Stewart (@Dsmoke34) May 7, 2023
Absolutely heartbroken that my friend, the great Vida Blue, has passed away! Vida will be featured in our upcoming exhibit celebrating baseball’s BLACK ACES! My condolences to his family and legion of fans!🙏🏾 @Athletics @SFGiants @MLB @MLBPA @Royals @NLBMuseumKC @Dsmoke34 RT pic.twitter.com/v23Qopx9vS
— Bob Kendrick (@nlbmprez) May 7, 2023
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vida Blue, three-time World Series champion pitcher, dies at 73