Vida Blue

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''This article is about Vida Blue, the baseball pitcher. For information on the jam band of the same name, see Vida Blue (band).

1970 Topps baseball card #21

Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. (born July 28, 1949, in Mansfield, Louisiana) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher. In his 17-year career, he played for the Oakland Athletics (1969-77), San Francisco Giants (1978-81, 1985-86), and Kansas City Royals (1982-83).

Blue had a 24-8 record in 1971; he also struck out 301 batters, winning both the Cy Young and MVP awards. He was the starting pitcher for the AL in the 1971 All-Star Game, and for the NL in the 1978 All-Star Game.

Blue won 20 games in 1973 as he led the A's to the World Championship that year. He won 22 games in 1975.

In 1978, he won 18 games as he led the Giants to 83 wins as they battled all year for the National League West Division which was won that year by the Los Angeles Dodgers. His great year was rewarded as he won the Sporting News National League Pitcher Of The Year.

Blue also made a name and career after baseball for himself in the San Francisco Bay Area by donating his time to many charitable causes, mostly promoting baseball in the inner city.

Blue battled drug addiction over the course of baseball career.

Trivia

Vida Blue autograph on a 1981 Fleer baseball card - 1981 Series, #432

Vida Blue is the answer to a classic trick question in trivia circles. He is technically the last switch hitter to win the American League MVP award. Obviously, however, he won not for his .118 batting average but for his 24-8 record, 1.82 ERA and 301 strikeouts.
He was the last player before Ichiro Suzuki to wear his given name on the back of his uniform instead of his surname, having done so with the Giants.
The infamous owner of the A's, Charlie O. Finley, offered the 18 year-old Blue $10,000 to change his name to "True" Blue. Blue declined, stating that his given name, Vida, meant "life," and that his mother was fond of it.

Career statistics

Wins: 209

External link

[Baseball-Reference.com] - career statistics and analysis

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