Vida Blue
From BR Bullpen
Vida Rochelle Blue Jr.
- Bats Both, Throws Left
- Height 6' 0", Weight 189 lb.
[edit] Biographical Information
In 1971, Vida Blue won the American League Cy Young Award. He is the youngest pitcher (age 22) to win the AL award - Dwight Gooden won a Cy Young at age 20 in the NL.
As of 2007, Vida Blue is the answer to the great trivia question: "Who was the last switch-hitter to win the AL MVP?"
Charles Finley once offered Blue a bonus if he'd change his first name to "True".
In 1978, Blue was traded to the San Francisco Giants for seven players, the only seven for one trade in baseball history.
In 1989, Blue played for the St. Lucie Legends and Orlando Juice of the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He was 2-7 with a 4.87 ERA in 11 games with St. Lucie and 1-2 with a 7.20 ERA in 4 games with Orlando. Combined, Blue was 3-9 with a 5.55 ERA in 15 games. In 1990, he played for the San Bernardino Pride of the SPBA. Blue had pitched in 3 games with no record and a 4.15 ERA when the league folded.
He is the only player in history to be credited with the win at the All-Star Game for both the AL and the NL.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 6-time All-Star (1971, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980 & 1981)
- AL MVP (1971)
- AL Cy Young Award Winner (1971)
- AL ERA Leader (1971)
- AL Shutouts Leader (1971)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 6 (1971, 1973-1976 & 1978)
- 20 Wins Seasons: 3 (1971, 1973 & 1975)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 9 (1971 & 1973-1980)
- 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1971)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 1 (1971)
- 300 Strikeouts Seasons: 1 (1971)
- Won three World Series with the Oakland Athletics (1972, 1973 & 1974)
| AL MVP | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1971 | 1972 |
| Boog Powell | Vida Blue | Dick Allen |
| AL Cy Young Award | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1971 | 1972 |
| Jim Perry | Vida Blue | Gaylord Perry |
