Remembering Mr. Vida Blue: MVP and Three-Time World Series Champion

Mr. Baida Blue who contributed to the WS 3 consecutive victories from 1972 to 1974

Vida Blue, the youngest league MVP in 1971 and a 209-win left-hander who helped the Athletics win three consecutive World Series titles (1972-74), has died, MLB officials reported. he was 73 years old.

Mr. Blue joined the Athletics in the second round of the 1967 draft and made his major league debut in 1969 at the age of 19. He went no-hitter on September 21, 1970 against the Twins at the age of 21 years and 55 days. He is still the youngest player since 1920, when flying balls began to be used.

In 1971, the 22-year-old season, he marked 24 wins and 8 losses and an ERA of 1.82. He won the AL Cy Young Award and MVP award at the same time. He played for the Giants and Royals for 17 years. He was a six-time All-Star and was the first player to start an All-Star in both leagues.

He threw a total of 3343 1/3 innings, recorded 209 wins and 161 losses, an ERA of 3.27, 2175 strikeouts, 143 complete games, and 37 shutouts. He was sentenced to prison for trying to buy cocaine and was suspended for the 1984 season. He was inducted into the Athletics’ Hall of Fame in 2019.

“I loved the Oakland Athletics and I still feel the impact he had on the organization,” said Athletics manager Mark Kotsey, who recently had the opportunity to speak with Blue. “Today is definitely a sad day.” rice field.

The Athletics paid tribute to him on social media, saying, “Vayda will forever be a team legend and friend.” The Giants also announced a memorial comment, saying, “We are deeply saddened by the news of Vayda Blue’s passing.”

(Full-Count editorial department)