Oakland Athletics Legend Vida Blue Dies at Age 73

Vida Blue, a former Cy Young winning pitcher and three-time World Series champion, died on Saturday at the age of 73.

Blue played 17 seasons and won 209 career games, but he was an integral part to the Oakland Athletics dynasty of the early 1970s. The club won three straight world titles from 1972-74.

The Athletics were among the teams that released a statement after Blue’s death.

A statement from the Oakland A's on the passing of Vida Blue. pic.twitter.com/fAMIU7MHCO
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 7, 2023

The statement reads:

“There are few players with a more decorated career than Vida Blue. He was a three-time champion, an MVP, a six-time All-Star, a Cy Young 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.”

Blue spent most of his career in the Bay Area, as he played for the San Francisco Giants from 1978-81 after his time with the Athletics (1969-77) ends. He also played for the Kansas City Royals (1982-83) and the Giants again (1985-86).

He is a member of the Hall of Fame for both the Athletics and Giants.

Blue’s pinnacle season was 1971, during which he went 24-8 with a National League-leading 1.82 ERA and a Major League-leading eight shutouts. He was an All-Star, won the NL Cy Young and the NL Most Valuable Player award.

Blue threw a no-hitter on Sept. 21, 1970, was part of a combined no-hitter on Sept. 28, 1975, and was one of five pitchers to be the starter for both the American League and the National League in the All-Star Game.

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