Vida Blue, the three-time Oakland A’s World Series champion, has died at the age of 73, it was announced on Sunday.
Blue was a six-time All-Star and won the American League MVP award in 1971, the year before his first World Series title.
The news was released on Sunday morning, with Oakland A’s legend Dave ‘Smoke’ Stewart tweeting: ‘Vida Blue rest in peace, my mentor, hero, and friend.
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Who is Vida Blue?
Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. was born in Louisiana. From a young age, showed promise as a sportsperson. He excelled in football and baseball but chose baseball after pitching a no-hitter with 21 strikeouts in his senior year.
Young Blue received numerous offers from several esteemed NCAA colleges, but he decided to pursue his dream straight out of high school. His father’s recent passing had an impact on this choice.
The Oakland Athletics chose Vida Blue in the second round of the 1967, and two seasons later, he made his team debut. “A statement on Vida Blue’s passing from the Oakland A’s. -Oakland A’s.
Blue’s breakthrough year was 1971 when he started 39 games for the A’s and led the league in both categories with an ERA of just 1 point 82 and eight shutouts.
Blue also amassed 312 innings and a 24-8 record, which helped him win the Cy Young and MVP Awards. For three consecutive seasons, the Athletics would go on to win the World Series. Blue played a key role in the team but would only have one World Series appearance, going 0-3 overall.
This affliction is reminiscent of Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros, who, despite having numerous chances, failed to win the World Series until 2022.
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How did Vida Blue die ?
The news was released on Sunday morning, with Oakland A’s legend Dave ‘Smoke’ Stewart tweeting: ‘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.’
The A’s said Blue, who was a pitcher, died Saturday but didn’t give a cause of death.
‘There are few players with a more decorated career than Vida Blue,’ the team said in a statement Sunday. ‘Vida will always be a franchise legend and a friend.’
Tributes pour in for three-time Oakland A’s World Series champion
A’s great Dave Stewart tweeted out his condolences, calling Blue “my mentor, hero, and friend.”
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
The Athletics, Giants and Royals also tweeted out tributes to Blue.
Rest in peace, Vida 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/MXHRuRFfjH
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 7, 2023
The #SFGiants are saddened to learn of the passing of six-time All-Star and longtime Bay Area pitcher Vida Blue. Our deepest condolences go to the Blue family, his friends and all those whose lives he touched. pic.twitter.com/gI7k1N68Mv
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 7, 2023
We join the baseball community in mourning the passing of Vida Blue. We send our deepest condolences to Vida's family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/hzi8V3SSnF
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 7, 2023
The Royals held a moment of silence before their game against the visiting A’s to remember Blue. Blue was drafted by the then Kansas City Athletics in 1967 and debuted for the A’s in 1969, shortly after the move to Oakland.
A Louisiana native, Blue threw a no-hitter in 1970 and was part of a combined no-hitter in 1975. He was the first pitcher to start All-Star Games for each league: the AL in 1971 and the NL in 1978 while a member of the Giants.
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