Vida Blue, a former AL Cy Young winner and MVP, has died at the age of 73, the Athletics announced Sunday morning. Fellow Oakland legend Dave Stewart first revealed the news on Twitter.
“Vida Blue rest in peace, my mentor, hero, and friend,” Stewart wrote. “I remember watching a 19 year old phenom dominate baseball, and at the same time alter my life. There are no words for what you have meant to me and so many others.”
Blue first came up with the Athletics in 1969 and spent nine seasons in Oakland. His 1971 season was spectacular, as he led the league with a 1.82 ERA and won both the Cy Young and MVP awards, becoming the youngest winner of both awards since 1900 at age 21.
A statement from the Oakland A's on the passing of Vida Blue. pic.twitter.com/fAMIU7MHCO
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 7, 2023
That year, Blue threw eight shutouts and posted a 24-8 record with 312 innings pitched. He is one of 11 players to win both the Cy Young and MVP awards in the same season in MLB history.
After leaving the Athletics, Blue played six years with the Giants and two with the Royals. In total, he was named to six All-Star teams, three with Oakland and three with San Francisco, and he helped the Athletics win three consecutive World Series titles between 1972 and ’74.
The #SFGiants are saddened to learn of the passing of six-time All-Star and longtime Bay Area pitcher Vida Blue. Our deepest condolences go to the Blue family, his friends and all those whose lives he touched. pic.twitter.com/gI7k1N68Mv
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 7, 2023
Blue finished his career with 209 wins and a 3.27 ERA. He was on the Hall of Fame ballot in the early 1990s but fell off after not receiving enough support just four years into his eligibility.
Rest in peace, Vida 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/MXHRuRFfjH
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 7, 2023
