Vida Blue, three-time World Series champ with A’s, dead at 73

Vida Blue, a former pitcher who helped the Oakland Athletics win three consecutive World Sequence championships within the Seventies, has died, the crew introduced Sunday. He was 73.

Blue made his debut for the Athletics on the age of 19 in 1969. He performed for the A’s for 9 years earlier than he joined the San Francisco Giants and later the Kansas Metropolis Royals. He had two stints with the Giants in his profession.

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Oakland A’s Vida Blue, the hard-throwing left-hander who turned one in every of baseball’s largest attracts, in 1976. (AP Photograph)

Oakland launched a press release on Blue’s dying.

“There are few gamers with a extra adorned profession than Vida Blue,” the Athletics stated. “He was a three-time champion, an MVP, a six-time All-Star, a Cy Younger Award winner, and an Oakland A’s Corridor of Famer. Vida will at all times be a franchise legend and a good friend. We ship our deepest condolences to his household and mates throughout this arduous time.”

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Blue was on the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the 1973 World Sequence-winning crew in April. A explanation for dying was not introduced.

Wes Inventory, Vida Blue and Joe Rudi throughout a ceremony honoring the 50-year anniversary of the Athletics’ 1973 World Sequence Championship earlier than the New York Mets sport at RingCentral Coliseum on April 16, 2023, in Oakland, California. (Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Pictures)

Vida Blue throughout a ceremony honoring the Athletics’ 1973 World Sequence Championship at RingCentral Coliseum on April 16, 2023, in Oakland. (Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Pictures)

“Vida Blue has been a Bay Space baseball icon for over 50 years,” Larry Baer, the Giants’ president & CEO added. “His impression on the Bay Space transcends his 17 years on the diamond with the affect he’s had on our neighborhood. For a few years, he was such an integral a part of our Junior Giants program. Our heartfelt condolences exit to his household and mates throughout this time.”

Blue gained the American League MVP and Cy Younger Award when he dazzled in 1971. He had 301 strikeouts and led the league with a 1.82 ERA. He additionally led the majors with eight shutouts.

Beginning in 1972, Oakland would start its World Sequence three-peat. The Athletics defeated the Cincinnati Reds that yr, the New York Mets in 1973 and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974. Blue had 22 strikeouts in eight World Sequence sport appearances however by no means picked up a profitable choice.

“Vida Blue relaxation in peace, my mentor, hero, and good friend,” former Athletics pitcher Dave Stewart wrote on Twitter. “I bear in mind watching a 19 yr previous phenom dominate baseball, and on the identical time alter my life. There aren’t any phrases for what you might have meant to me and so many others. My coronary heart goes out to the Blue household.”

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Former Athletics pitcher Vida Blue throws out the ceremonial first pitch previous to the Los Angeles Angels sport, July 27, 2013, in Oakland. (AP Photograph/Ben Margot, file)

Blue made 502 appearances in 17 seasons. He was 209-161 with 2,175 strikeouts. He was a six-time All-Star.