Athletics, Giants Legend Vida Blue Dies at Age 73

Six-time All-Star Vida Blue died at the age of 73.

"Vida will always be a franchise legend and a friend," said the Oakland Athletics, for whom Blue played nine seasons. "We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this arduous time."

The southpaw also played six years for the San Francisco Giants and had a two-year spell with the Kansas City Royals. He finished 209-161 with a 3.27 ERA and a 3.43 FIP in 502 appearances.

Another former A's ace, Dave Stewart, mourned Blue's death:

Blue made his breakthrough in 1971, when he was just 21. He led the American League in ERA (1.82) and FIP (2.20) while throwing 24 complete games and an MLB-best eight shutouts. Not only did he win the AL Cy Young Award, but he also beat out teammate Sal Bando to be named the AL's Most Valuable Player.

Blue and Dock Ellis made history that season when they were the first Black pitchers to start an MLB All-Star Game.

The Louisiana native was a member of the A's for each of their three straight World Series titles in the 1970s.

As with seemingly every Oakland star from that era, Blue clashed with team owner Charlie Finley. A contract dispute delayed his 1972 debut, and twice then-Commissioner Bowie Kuhn canceled a trade that would've sent him out of the Bay Area.

Blue has the ninth-most WAR for an Oakland pitcher (29.0) and is eighth in franchise history in wins (124), per Baseball Reference. Although his time across the Bay in San Francisco isn't remembered as fondly, he was a three-time All-Star with the Giants and finished third in the National League Cy Young voting in 1978.