1. Overview
Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. (Vida Rochelle Blue Jr.vahy-DAHEnglish; July 28, 1949 - May 6, 2023) was an American professional baseball player who achieved prominence as a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1969 to 1986. He is best known for his integral role in the Oakland Athletics dynasty, which secured three consecutive World Series championships from 1972 to 1974. Blue's career was marked by a rapid ascent to stardom, highlighted by his exceptional 1971 season where he won both the American League (AL) Cy Young Award and the Most Valuable Player Award. A six-time All-Star, he holds the distinction of being the first of only five pitchers in MLB history to start the All-Star Game for both the American League (1971) and the National League (1978). Throughout his 17-year career, Blue pitched for the Oakland Athletics (1969-1977), San Francisco Giants (1978-1981; 1985-86), and Kansas City Royals (1982-83). His career was also notable for significant salary disputes, a no-hitter, a combined no-hitter, and later, legal issues related to substance abuse.
2. Early life
Vida Blue was born and raised in Mansfield, Louisiana, located in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. He was the eldest of six children born to Vida Blue Sr., a laborer in a Mansfield iron foundry, and his wife Sallie.
Blue attended DeSoto High School in Mansfield, where he excelled in both baseball and American football. As a senior in football, he served as the team's quarterback, throwing for 3.40 K yd and completing 35 touchdown passes, while also rushing for 1.60 K yd. In his senior year of baseball, Blue pitched a no-hitter, recording an impressive 21 strikeouts in just seven innings. Despite receiving multiple offers to play college football from institutions such as the University of Notre Dame, Purdue University, and the University of Houston, Blue chose to sign a professional baseball contract with the then-Kansas City Athletics for 12.50 K USD per year. This decision was made to help support his family following the sudden death of his father.
3. Baseball career
Vida Blue was known as a power pitcher who worked quickly and aggressively attacked the strike zone. His signature pitch was a powerful fastball that consistently clocked in at 94 mph and could reach speeds of up to 100 mph. He also utilized an occasional curveball to keep hitters off balance and an above-average change-up. All-time hits leader Pete Rose stated that Blue "threw as hard as anyone" he ever faced. Baseball historian Bill James cited Blue as the hardest-throwing left-handed pitcher and the second-hardest thrower of his era, trailing only Nolan Ryan. His distinctive pitching motion, characterized by a high leg kick, was later noted as an influence on pitchers like Dontrelle Willis, whose mother, a fan of Blue, taught him the style.
3.1. Oakland Athletics (1969-1977)
The Kansas City Athletics selected Vida Blue in the second round of the 1967 MLB draft. The team later relocated to Oakland in 1968. Blue began the 1969 season with the Birmingham A's (a minor league affiliate) but was promoted to make his major league debut on July 20, 1969, against the California Angels.
In 1970, after spending the season in the minor leagues with the Midwest League single-A Burlington Bees and the Iowa Oaks of the American Association (where he recorded 12 wins, 3 losses, a 2.17 ERA, and 165 strikeouts in 133 innings), Blue was called up to the majors in September, making two starts. On September 11, he shut out the Kansas City Royals 3-0, giving up only one hit to Pat Kelly in the eighth inning. Ten days later, on September 21, Blue no-hit the defending and eventual repeat American League West champion Minnesota Twins, 6-0, at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The lone baserunner came on Harmon Killebrew's fourth-inning walk. Blue was the fourth-youngest pitcher in MLB history to throw a no-hitter.
Blue had a remarkable season in 1971, finishing with a 24-8 record. He led the AL with a 1.82 ERA and eight shutouts, and he struck out 301 batters. He won both the Cy Young Award and the American League Most Valuable Player Award, becoming the first Athletics player to win the MVP Award since Bobby Shantz in 1952. He also led the American League in complete games (24) and shutouts (8), and recorded a league-best WHIP of 0.95. That season, the Athletics won the American League West title, securing the franchise's first postseason berth since the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1931 World Series. He started the season strong, going 10-1 before a dramatic May matchup in Boston against Boston's Sonny Siebert, who was 8-0. Siebert and the Red Sox won the game 4-3, in what is considered one of the most dramatic games in Fenway Park history. Blue was the youngest American League player to win the MVP Award in the 20th century. He was the starting pitcher for the American League in the 1971 All-Star Game. In 1971, he became the only player ever to be a starting pitcher in the league opener (against the Washington Senators), the All-Star Game, and the playoff opener (against the Baltimore Orioles) in the same season. Blue was featured on the covers of Sports Illustrated and Time magazine in 1971. His success in baseball also led Blue to a small role in the 1972 film Black Gunn, starring Jim Brown.
Following Blue's breakthrough 1971 season, he and Athletics owner Charlie Finley clashed over his salary. Blue, who had earned 14.00 K USD in 1971, sought a 92.50 K USD salary. He held out, missing much of the year, before they settled at 63.00 K USD in May 1972. Blue finished the 1972 season with a 6-10 record despite a 2.80 ERA and four shutouts. He did not make the Athletics' postseason starting rotation, instead pitching mainly in relief. Against the Cincinnati Reds in the 1972 World Series, he made four appearances, including a save in Game 1, a blown save in Game 4, and a loss in a spot-start in Game 6. The Athletics ultimately won the World Series, their first championship in 42 years.
Blue returned to form in 1973, going 20-9 with a 3.28 ERA, contributing to the Athletics' third consecutive AL West title. In the 1973 American League Championship Series against the Orioles, he started Game 1 but struggled, giving up four runs in the first inning. He also started Game 4, pitching six scoreless innings before giving up a concentrated hit in the seventh. In the 1973 World Series against the New York Mets, he started Games 2 and 5, though he did not earn a win. The Athletics won the series, securing their second consecutive World Championship.
In 1974, Blue started with four consecutive losses but recovered to finish with a 17-15 record and a 3.25 ERA, as the team won its fourth straight AL West title. In Game 3 of the 1974 American League Championship Series against the Orioles, he pitched a two-hit complete-game 1-0 shutout against Jim Palmer, earning his first postseason victory and helping the team to its third consecutive AL pennant. In the 1974 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he again started Games 2 and 5. Although he didn't record a win, the Athletics defeated the Dodgers 4-1, achieving the rare feat of three consecutive World Series championships.
Blue continued his strong performance in 1975, winning 12 games in the first half and earning his second All-Star Game start. On September 28, 1975, Blue, Glenn Abbott, Paul Lindblad, and Rollie Fingers combined to no-hit the California Angels 5-0. This marked the first time a pitcher who had previously thrown a solo no-hitter also participated in a combined no-hitter. He finished the season with a 22-11 record and a 3.01 ERA, as the Athletics won their fifth consecutive AL West title. In the 1975 American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox, he started Game 2 but was pulled in the fourth inning after giving up three runs. The Athletics were swept in three games, ending their bid for a fourth straight World Series title.
In 1976, Blue had an 18-13 record with a 2.35 ERA, finishing sixth in Cy Young Award voting. During this period, Athletics owner Charlie Finley attempted to sell Blue's contract to the New York Yankees in June 1976, and later to the Cincinnati Reds for Dave Revering and 1.75 M USD in December 1977. However, baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn vetoed both attempts, stating that the trades would be detrimental to baseball as they would benefit already powerful teams without requiring them to give up significant talent in return. Blue expressed his frustration with Finley, famously stating, "I hope the next breath Charlie Finley takes is his last. I hope he falls flat on his face and dies of polio." By the end of the 1976 season, most of the Athletics' star players from their championship teams had left due to baseball's new free agency system or were traded by Finley. Blue, still under contract, was left to mentor a new team primarily composed of rookies and young players. In the 1977 season, Blue's performance declined, as he went 14-19 with a 3.83 ERA, leading the AL in both hits (284) and earned runs (119) surrendered.
3.2. San Francisco Giants (1978-1981)
In March 1978, the Athletics traded Blue to the San Francisco Giants for Gary Thomasson, Gary Alexander, Dave Heaverlo, John Henry Johnson, Phil Huffman, Alan Wirth, and 300.00 K USD. Mario Guerrero was later sent to the Athletics as a player to be named later to complete the transaction.
In 1978, Blue had a strong season, going 18-10 with a 2.79 ERA. He helped lead the Giants to 89 wins and a third-place finish in the National League West Division, which was won by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He started for the National League in the 1978 All-Star Game, making him the first pitcher in MLB history to start the All-Star Game for both the American League and the National League. He was also honored with The Sporting News National League Pitcher of the Year Award. During this period, Blue, along with Chili Davis, was one of the last players to wear uniforms with their given names instead of their surnames, a practice later adopted by players like Ichiro Suzuki.
Blue's performance dipped in 1979, as he went 14-14 with a career-worst 5.01 ERA as a full-time starter. He also recorded a league-worst 132 earned runs and a career-worst 111 walks. Despite giving up 10 runs in a game against the San Diego Padres on April 19, he still earned the win. In 1980, Blue rebounded with a 14-10 record and a 2.97 ERA, despite a month-long absence due to injury. In the strike-interrupted 1981 season, he went 8-6 with a 2.45 ERA. On September 6, he nearly threw another no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs, holding them hitless until Bill Buckner singled with one out in the seventh inning.
3.3. Kansas City Royals (1982-1983)
On March 30, 1982, just before the start of the season, the Giants traded Blue to the Kansas City Royals for Atlee Hammaker, Craig Chamberlain, Renie Martin, and Brad Wellman. In 1982, he went 13-12 with a 3.78 ERA in 31 starts. On September 13, he threw a one-hit complete-game shutout against the Seattle Mariners, holding them hitless until one out in the sixth inning.
In 1983, Blue's performance declined significantly, as he went 0-5 with a 6.01 ERA in 19 appearances (13 starts). He was released by the Royals mid-season on August 6, 1983.
3.4. San Francisco Giants (1985-1986)
After being suspended for the entire 1984 season due to legal issues, Blue returned to the San Francisco Giants as a free agent in April 1985, signing a one-year deal. In 1985, he went 8-8 with a 4.47 ERA in 33 appearances, making 20 starts and pitching in middle-inning and mop-up relief for the rest.
Blue re-signed with the Giants for another one-year deal in 1986. On April 20, at the age of 36, he won his 200th career MLB game against the San Diego Padres. He finished his final season with a 10-10 record and a 3.27 ERA in 28 starts. Although he signed with the Oakland Athletics for the 1987 season, he announced his retirement in February 1987.
4. Pitching style and skills
Vida Blue was renowned for his powerful and aggressive pitching style. Unlike many left-handed pitchers, he worked quickly and consistently attacked the strike zone. His primary weapon was a blazing fastball that was consistently thrown at 94 mph and could reach speeds up to 100 mph. This high velocity made him one of the hardest-throwing pitchers of his era. He complemented his fastball with an occasional curveball to disrupt hitters' timing and an above-average change-up. His effectiveness was such that Pete Rose, one of baseball's all-time hits leaders, stated that Blue "threw as hard as anyone" he had ever faced. Baseball historian Bill James also recognized Blue as the hardest-throwing left-handed pitcher and the second-hardest thrower overall during his time, second only to Nolan Ryan. Blue's distinctive pitching motion, characterized by a high leg kick, became a notable aspect of his style and influenced future pitchers.
5. Major achievements and awards
Vida Blue's career was marked by numerous significant individual achievements and awards:
- Cy Young Award**: 1971 (American League)
- American League Most Valuable Player Award**: 1971
- MLB All-Star**: 6 selections (1971, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981)
- First pitcher in MLB history to start the All-Star Game for both the American League (1971) and the National League (1978).
- American League ERA Leader**: 1971 (1.82 ERA)
- American League Strikeout Leader**: 1971 (301 strikeouts)
- American League Shutout Leader**: 1971 (8 shutouts)
- American League Complete Games Leader**: 1971 (24 complete games)
- No-hitters**:
- Solo no-hitter: September 21, 1970, against the Minnesota Twins.
- Combined no-hitter: September 28, 1975, with Glenn Abbott, Paul Lindblad, and Rollie Fingers against the California Angels. Blue was the first pitcher to throw a solo no-hitter and also participate in a combined no-hitter.
- The Sporting News National League Pitcher of the Year**: 1978
- World Series Champion**: 3 times (1972, 1973, 1974) with the Oakland Athletics.
6. Career statistics
| Year | Team | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | W | L | ERA | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | WHIP | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | OAK | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6.64 | 42.0 | 49 | 31 | 18 | 24 | 1.60 | |||||||||||||||
| 1970 | OAK | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2.09 | 38.2 | 20 | 9 | 12 | 35 | 0.83 | |||||||||||||||
| 1971 | OAK | 39 | 39 | 24 | 8 | 0 | 24 | 8 | 1.82 | 312.0 | 209 | 63 | 88 | 301 | 0.95 | |||||||||||||||
| 1972 | OAK | 25 | 23 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 2.80 | 151.0 | 117 | 47 | 48 | 111 | 1.09 | |||||||||||||||
| 1973 | OAK | 37 | 37 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 20 | 9 | 3.28 | 263.2 | 214 | 96 | 105 | 158 | 1.21 | |||||||||||||||
| 1974 | OAK | 40 | 40 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 15 | 3.25 | 282.1 | 246 | 102 | 98 | 174 | 1.22 | |||||||||||||||
| 1975 | OAK | 39 | 38 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 11 | 3.01 | 278.0 | 243 | 93 | 99 | 189 | 1.23 | |||||||||||||||
| 1976 | OAK | 37 | 37 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 13 | 2.35 | 298.1 | 268 | 78 | 63 | 166 | 1.11 | |||||||||||||||
| 1977 | OAK | 38 | 38 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 19 | 3.83 | 279.2 | 284 | 119 | 86 | 157 | 1.32 | |||||||||||||||
| 1978 | SF | 35 | 35 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 10 | 2.79 | 258.0 | 233 | 80 | 70 | 171 | 1.17 | |||||||||||||||
| 1979 | SF | 34 | 34 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 5.01 | 237.0 | 246 | 132 | 111 | 138 | 1.51 | |||||||||||||||
| 1980 | SF | 31 | 31 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 10 | 2.97 | 224.0 | 202 | 74 | 61 | 129 | 1.17 | |||||||||||||||
| 1981 | SF | 18 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 2.45 | 124.2 | 97 | 34 | 54 | 63 | 1.21 | |||||||||||||||
| 1982 | KC | 31 | 31 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 12 | 3.78 | 181.0 | 163 | 76 | 80 | 103 | 1.34 | |||||||||||||||
| 1983 | KC | 19 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6.01 | 85.1 | 96 | 57 | 35 | 53 | 1.54 | |||||||||||||||
| 1985 | SF | 33 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 4.47 | 131.0 | 115 | 65 | 80 | 103 | 1.49 | |||||||||||||||
| 1986 | SF | 28 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 3.27 | 156.2 | 137 | 57 | 77 | 100 | 1.37 | |||||||||||||||
| MLB: 17 years | 502 | 473 | 143 | 37 | 2 | 209 | 161 | 3.27 | 3343.1 | 2939 | 1213 | 1185 | 2175 | 1.23 | ||||||||||||||||
- Bold indicates league leader
- "-" indicates no record
7. Controversies and legal issues
Vida Blue's career was marked by several significant controversies and legal challenges. One of the most prominent issues was his recurring salary disputes with Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley. After his breakout 1971 season, where he earned 14.00 K USD and won both the Cy Young and MVP awards, Blue sought a substantial raise to 92.50 K USD. This led to a prolonged holdout, causing him to miss a significant portion of the 1972 season before he and Finley settled on a 63.00 K USD contract. The contentious relationship with Finley also manifested in strong public statements, such as Blue's wish for Finley's demise in 1976. Furthermore, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn's veto of Finley's attempts to trade Blue to the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds highlighted the unusual power dynamics and disputes surrounding player contracts at the time.
Later in his career and post-retirement, Blue faced challenges related to substance abuse. Following the 1983 season, Blue and former teammates Willie Wilson, Jerry Martin, and Willie Aikens pleaded guilty to attempting to purchase cocaine. He was sentenced to three months in prison and subsequently suspended for the entire 1984 MLB season. In 1985, Blue was called to testify before a grand jury in connection with the Pittsburgh drug trials, a major scandal involving drug use in baseball. His struggles with substance abuse continued after his playing career, as evidenced by multiple DUI charges in 2005. Blue himself acknowledged that these personal issues likely influenced his exclusion from the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot after only one year of eligibility, noting, "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."
8. Post-career activities
After retiring from his playing career, Vida Blue remained involved in baseball and dedicated his time to various activities. He worked as a baseball analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area, the television home of the San Francisco Giants, providing commentary and insights on the sport.
Blue was also actively involved in numerous charitable causes. In 1971, early in his career, he accompanied Bob Hope on his USO Christmas tour of Vietnam and other military installations, performing for troops. Throughout his post-playing life, he continued to support various organizations, including the Safeway All Stars Challenge Sports, participating in automobile donation initiatives, celebrity golf tournaments, and children's charities. Beyond the United States, Blue also dedicated efforts to promoting baseball in Costa Rica.
9. Personal life
In September 1989, Vida Blue married Peggy Shannon on the pitcher's mound at Candlestick Park, a unique ceremony attended by notable figures from his baseball career. His best man was former teammate Willie McCovey, and Orlando Cepeda escorted Shannon to the mound. Blue and Shannon had twin daughters before divorcing in 1996. He also had a son named Derrick and two other daughters from other relationships.
After retiring from baseball, Blue resided for many years in the Twain Harte area, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California. By 2007, he had moved to Tracy, California.
10. Death
Vida Blue died in a hospital in the East Bay area of California on May 6, 2023, at the age of 73. According to officials from the Oakland Athletics, his passing was a result of medical complications stemming from cancer.
11. Legacy and impact
Vida Blue holds a significant place in baseball history, particularly for his electrifying early career and his pivotal role in the Oakland Athletics' dynasty of the early 1970s. His 1971 season, where he earned both the Cy Young Award and the MVP Award, remains one of the most dominant individual pitching performances in modern baseball. As the first of only five pitchers to start the All-Star Game for both the American and National Leagues, he demonstrated exceptional versatility and longevity across different eras and leagues.
Despite his remarkable achievements, including 209 career wins, 2,175 strikeouts, and a career ERA of 3.27, Blue's candidacy for the Baseball Hall of Fame has been a subject of debate. His struggles with substance abuse and subsequent legal issues, including a prison sentence and an MLB suspension, are often cited as factors that may have influenced voting. Blue himself acknowledged that these personal challenges likely impacted his Hall of Fame consideration.
Beyond statistics and awards, Blue's impact extended to his distinctive pitching style, characterized by a powerful fastball and a high leg kick, which inspired future generations of pitchers. He was a prominent figure during a transformative period in baseball, marked by the rise of free agency and increased scrutiny of player conduct. His career serves as a testament to both extraordinary talent and the personal struggles that can affect even the most celebrated athletes. Blue's legacy is that of a dominant force on the mound who, despite personal setbacks, left an indelible mark on the game.