by Maty McNeil
Oakland A's History Series
Vida Blue burst onto the scene at age 21 with perhaps the most brilliant single-season performance in Athletics history. Having made only ten starts in his career up until that point (he threw a no-hitter in just his 6th career start), Blue wowed the baseball world with a Cy-Young worthy performance in 1971: 24-8, 1.82 ERA, 312 innings pitched, 301 strikeouts, and 0.952 WHIP. His stand-out performance not only earned him the Cy but the American League MVP Award as well. He was the only player in history to receive both awards until Roger Clemens did it in 1986. He was also the youngest player in the 20th century to win the MVP. His effort was undoubtedly the catalyst behind Oakland's first World Series title.
Blue defied the conventional southpaw prototype: he was a power-thrower who worked quickly and pounded the strikezone. He possessed a strong fastball and curve, but his signature pitch was a fastball that often reached near 100 mph. Pete Rose claimed he threw "as hard as anyone I ever faced" and baseball sabermetrician Bill James considers him the hardest throwing lefty of all time. While a hard throwing lefty of another time, Randy Johnson, benefited from an immense 6'11" frame, Blue was just 6'0" and depended on incredible leg strength. He's recognized as the second hardest thrower of his generation (Nolan Ryan).
Blue presaged the world of astronomical baseball salaries when in 1972 he demanded a $77,750 raise from Oakland owner Charlie Finley. Blue threatened to quit the game and go to work selling bathroom fixtures before Finley finally relented. "I don't believe in these unjustified, astromonical salaries athletes are demanding today," said Finley. Nevertheless, the stress implied in negotiations hurt Blue's 1972 campaign: he finished 6-10 with only 151 innings pitched.
Blue pitched just a little above average in the following few seasons before playing quite well in the 1976. He pitched 298 innings that season and won 18 games. But the following year the A's struggled and Finley attempted to sell Blue to the Yankees. Baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn vetoed the trade, however, and Blue was instead dealt to the Giants. He finished 3rd in Cy Young voting in his first season with the San Francisco: 18-10, 2.79 ERA.
He was an All-Star in 1980 and 1981, posting sub-3.00 ERA's for the fifth and sixth times in his career. He finished his career in 1986 with strong numbers.
He was the 1st player in the league to wear his first name on the back of his jersey. This act was later copied by Chili Davis and Ichiro Suzuki.
Blue's career was marred by a ravenous cocaine habit that cost him 81 days in jail after the 1983 season. Blue and fellow baseball players Willie Wilson, Jerry Martin, and Willie Aikens were busted in a sting-operation while attempting to buy drugs. His cocaine use eventually cost him his career. "I reached the point where I had to choose between baseball and life," he said.
Blue still resides in the San Francisco area and often dresses up as Santa Claus for inner-city kids. He remains active in baseball.
He'll always be remembered for the incredible season he had in 1971. Despite the fact that Oakland has groomed so many fine young pitchers, Blue's 1971 will likely never be surpassed.
Vida Blue's Career Stats:
| W | L | WP | GP | GS | CG | SH | SV | IP | BB | K | ERA | WHIP |
| 209 | 161 | .565 | 502 | 473 | 143 | 37 | 2 | 3343.3 | 1,185 | 2,175 | 3.27 | 1.233 |
Vida Blue's 1971 Season Stats:
| W | L | WP | GP | GS | CG | SH | SV | IP | BB | K | ERA | WHIP |
| 24 | 8 | .750 | 39 | 39 | 24 | 8 | 0 | 312.0 | 88 | 301 | 1.82 | 0.952 |
