Vida Blue Dies at 73: Louisiana Legend, Southern Jaguar, 1971 MVP, Three-Time World Series Champion
Vida Blue was a maestro on the baseball mound and football gridiron. He chose baseball after one semester at Southern University, signing with the "Oakland A's for an estimated $30,000 to $40,000." He grew up in Mansfield, LA, supported mainly by a local steel foundry where his father worked until his death. Vida is the oldest of six children to Vida Sr. and Sallie Blue.
Aug 7, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics former pitcher Vida Blue sits in the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
He was an accomplished quarterback and defensive back on the DeSoto High School football team. "Blue was one of those quarterbacks who live dangerously," Coach Baldwin said to Sports Illustrated. "Most of the time, he wouldn't see the touchdown because he'd be flat on his back." Coach Baldwin would continue Vida Blue's lore as he "ran the ball the whole second half — every play we had the ball except when we punted, he ran." DeSoto would win the rain-drenched game, 13-0 on his legs. Blue said he was only hurt twice — once his right arm stepped on, and the other from a back strain — during high school.
During Blue's senior year, he became even more renowned, accumulating 3,400 passing yards and scoring 35 touchdowns while rushing for 1,600 yards on the ground. More impressively was what the hard-pitching lefty did on the baseball field, tossing a 21-strikeout no-hitter in seven innings as a senior.
Vida Blue's legend was as a dynamic lefthander in the big league. He was a member of the three World Series championships that created the A's dynasty from 1972 to 1974. He earned the MVP Award and American Cy Young Award in 1971. In 17 seasons, the six-time All-Star registered 209 wins to 161 losses with 2,175 strikeouts, 3.27 ERA, 37 shutouts, and 143 complete games with the Athletics (1969-77), San Francisco Giants (1978-81, 1985-86), and Kansas City Royals (1982-83).
He was teammates with fellow legends named Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Rollie Fingers, and Steve Garvey. His career was halted by a 1983 three-month prison sentence for purchasing drugs and subsequent suspension from the MLB in 1984. "I had some issues in my life that might have had a tendency to sway voting. There are some guys in the Hall of Fame who don't have halos," Vida Blue said of not being voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Vida Blue died on May 6, 2023 — still among the greatest pitchers in Major League Baseball's history.