Vida Blue, a dominant left-hander who helped the Oakland Athletics win three straight world championships from 1972-74, died Saturday. He was 73.
“There are few players with a more successful career than Vida Blue,” the A’s said in a statement. “He was a three-time champion, MVP, six-time All-Star, Cy Young Award winner and Oakland A’s Hall of Famer. Vida will always be a franchise legend and friend. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
One of the dominant starting pitchers of the 1970s, Blue made his debut at age 19 in 1969, the franchise’s second year after moving to Oakland. His career started slowly but soon grew into one of the most important cogs for the team known as the Swingin’ A’s for their talent and swagger.
In September 1970, Blue showed what was to come. Two starts after a one-hit shutout against the Royals in Kansas City, Blue threw a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins, batting nine and allowing just one batter to reach base in a fourth inning walk. At 21 years and 55 days, Blue remains the youngest player to throw a no-hitter since the live ball era began in 1920.
Blue won the 1971 AL Cy Young and MVP Awards after playing 24-8 with a 1.82 ERA and 301 strikeouts over 312 innings. During his 17-year career, he formed six All-Star teams, spending time with the Giants and Royals in addition to the A’s.
No information about survivors or memorial plans was initially available.