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The Oakland A’s announced on Sunday morning that former All-Star pitcher Vida Blue died on the age of 73.
Blue spent 17 years within the main leagues, together with 9 with the A’s. Throughout that point he helped the crew win three World Collection titles, whereas additionally taking dwelling a Cy Younger and MVP award through the 1971 season.
That 1971 MVP award stays historic and is the reply to considered one of baseball’s hardest trivia questions.
Blue continues to be, technically talking, the final switch-hitter to win the American League MVP award and considered one of solely two switch-hitters to ever win that award, becoming a member of New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle on that listing. The designated hitter had not been launched to the American League throughout that season, and since Blue hit from each side of the plate he’s the final such participant to win that award within the American League.
Although he received the award for his pitching and never his hitting he, nonetheless will get that title.
Blue was additionally the primary pitcher to ever begin the All-Star sport for each the American and Nationwide Leagues. He began the 1971 and 1975 video games as a member of the A’s for the American League, and in addition began the 1978 sport as a member of the San Francisco Giants for the Nationwide League.
Since then, solely 4 different pitchers have ever achieved that feat: Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Roy Halladay and Max Scherzer.
Throughout his 17-year profession Blue compiled a 209-161 file with a 3.27 ERA. He averaged over 250 innings pitched throughout his prime years and was considered one of many hardest throwing left-handed pitchers of all-time. Together with the 1971 Cy Younger and MVP Awards and the three World Collection rings, he additionally pitched in six All-Star video games.
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