Vida Blue debuted in 1969, and over his 12 Games in Oakland, he was ineffective, posting a 6.64 ERA. His 1970 callup was different, with a 2-0 record over six starts and a pair of Shutouts. 1971 was one of the best seasons ever for an Oakland A’s Pitcher.
1971 was the year he went 24-8 with 301 Strikeouts and led the American League in ERA (1.82), FIP (2.20), and WHIP (0.952). Blue won both the MVP and the Cy Young, and he was part of what became an elite franchise in the AL. While Blue would have ups and downs afterward, the ups were very special. Blue was an anchor on the A's staff, helping them win three straight World Series Rings (1972-74), and while he was with Oakland, he was a three-time All-Star. In addition to his Cy Young, he had three other top ten Cy Young finishes as an Athletic.
In 1978, Blue crossed the bay and switched leagues to play for San Francisco, where in his first year there, he was an All-Star again and was third in Cy Young voting. He went to two more All-Star Games with the Giants, and after a stint with Kansas City, he returned to San Francisco, where he played his final two years before retiring in 1986.
Blue left the game with a 209-161 record and 2,175 Strikeouts.
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