Blue, former MVP, 3-time WS champ, dies at 73
Vida Blue, who won the 1971 AL MVP and Cy Young awards and three straight World Series titles with the A's, has died at 73.
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R.I.P., Vida Blue (73)
- Thread starter BobPSU92
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RIP
Still the answer to one of the greatest sports trivia questions..."who was the last switch hitter to win the AL MVP?"
Still the answer to one of the greatest sports trivia questions..."who was the last switch hitter to win the AL MVP?"
Sad…Godspeed Vida. Those A’s teams were really good
I feel ya mate, the names and faces of the greatest era of sports are passing
He had a wind up like Juan Marichal , very unorthodox like . A true competitor ,and yes the unis were something elseBlue, former MVP, 3-time WS champ, dies at 73
Vida Blue, who won the 1971 AL MVP and Cy Young awards and three straight World Series titles with the A's, has died at 73.
You mean the answer isn't George Michael ?
I remember watching him in late 60's as a minor leaguer with the Burlington (Iowa) Bees. I was twelve years old. You could tell he was going to be a great one.
Reds probably get another World Series title or two if the league didn’t stop that trade from going through.
RIP
RIP
I saw him pitch in 1973 when visiting my brother and his wife in San Jose. We had gone to see the Giants play the Braves in 1971 when both teams had a bunch of future hall-of-famers still playing. So this time we went to see the A's, who were very good, play the Texas Rangers. Bonus was that Vida Blue was pitching, and I was a big fan of his even as an Orioles fan.
Vida gave up a 1st inning grand slam to Jeff Burroughs. Jim Bibby for the Rangers threw a no hitter against that great A's lineup. If I recall, even though down 4-0 early, Blue pitched the entire game, or very late into it. Rangers won 6-0. The A's went on to win the World Series that season.
Vida gave up a 1st inning grand slam to Jeff Burroughs. Jim Bibby for the Rangers threw a no hitter against that great A's lineup. If I recall, even though down 4-0 early, Blue pitched the entire game, or very late into it. Rangers won 6-0. The A's went on to win the World Series that season.
I‘m a nerd:
Texas Rangers vs Oakland Athletics Box Score: July 30, 1973 | Baseball-Reference.com
Texas Rangers beat Oakland Athletics (6-0). Jul 30, 1973, Attendance: 21606, Time of Game: 2:10. Visit Baseball-Reference.com for the complete box score, play-by-play, and win probability
www.baseball-reference.com
Beautiful. Thanks. I forgot about the "other" 1st inning homer. And a complete game for Blue despite that 1st inning.I‘m a nerd:
Texas Rangers vs Oakland Athletics Box Score: July 30, 1973 | Baseball-Reference.com
Texas Rangers beat Oakland Athletics (6-0). Jul 30, 1973, Attendance: 21606, Time of Game: 2:10. Visit Baseball-Reference.com for the complete box score, play-by-play, and win probability
I use that reference for baseball and football, too. It is a great resource. I should go back and look up the SF Giants - Atlanta Braves game from 1971, probably about the same time of year, because I recall that at least one of Mays, Aaron, and McCovey hit a home run. Marichal pitched for the Giants. I think the Braves won, but my memory on that game is not as strong.
I recall how unbelievably cold it was that night at Candlestick - my brother gave us winter parkas to wear My Dad and I were like... huh? It's July! It was just 90+ degrees today! Brother said, just wait.
Both games, it was my Dad, my brother and me - great memories. And what luck for us to see those specific games.
Most people forget Vida Blue was a NY Yankee for a few days in 1976 (and Joe Rudi and Rollie Fingers to Red Sox)...
Oakland Athletics’ owner Charlie Finley had ripped the proverbial rug out from under Major League Baseball’s feet, by selling left fielder and first baseman Joe Rudi and relief pitcher Rollie Fingers to the Boston Red Sox for $1 million each, as well as Cy Young Award winner Vida Blue to the New York Yankees for $1.5 million.
Oakland Athletics’ owner Charlie Finley had ripped the proverbial rug out from under Major League Baseball’s feet, by selling left fielder and first baseman Joe Rudi and relief pitcher Rollie Fingers to the Boston Red Sox for $1 million each, as well as Cy Young Award winner Vida Blue to the New York Yankees for $1.5 million.
Commissioner Bowie Kuhn disallowed the deals in the "best interest of baseball". Highly controversial then as it would be now.Most people forget Vida Blue was a NY Yankee for a few days in 1976 (and Joe Rudi and Rollie Fingers to Red Sox)...
Oakland Athletics’ owner Charlie Finley had ripped the proverbial rug out from under Major League Baseball’s feet, by selling left fielder and first baseman Joe Rudi and relief pitcher Rollie Fingers to the Boston Red Sox for $1 million each, as well as Cy Young Award winner Vida Blue to the New York Yankees for $1.5 million.
Didn't Charlie Finley offer him $$$ to change his 1st name to "True"?Blue, former MVP, 3-time WS champ, dies at 73
Vida Blue, who won the 1971 AL MVP and Cy Young awards and three straight World Series titles with the A's, has died at 73.
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