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119. Vida Blue

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119. Vida Blue
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: July 28, 1949 in Mansfield, LA USA
  • Weight: 189 lbs.
  • Height: 6'0"
  • Bats: B
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: July 20, 1969
  • Final Game: October 02, 1986
  • Cy Young Award - 1971
  • Most Valuable Player - 1971
  • TSN All-Star - 1971
  • TSN Pitcher of the Year - 1971
  • TSN All-Star - 1978
  • TSN Pitcher of the Year - 1978
  • Cy Young - 1971
  • Cy Young - 1973
  • Cy Young - 1975
  • Cy Young - 1976
  • Cy Young - 1978
  • MVP - 1971
  • MVP - 1973
  • MVP - 1976
  • MVP - 1978
 
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2091613.5250247323,343.32175
 

Vida Blue debuted in 1969, where in his 12 Games in Oakland, he was ineffective with 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 where 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, but 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 finished 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-Stars with the Giants, and after a stint with Kansas City, he returned to San Francisco, where he played two final years before retiring in 1986.

Blue left the game with a 209-161 record and 2,175 Strikeouts.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Mansfield, Louisiana, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Wednesday, 01 January 1992
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Games Played: 502
  • Notable Statistics: 209 Wins
    161 Losses
    3.27 ERA
    473 Games Started
    143 Complete Games
    37 Shutouts
    11 Games Finished
    2 Saves
    3,343.1 Innings Pitched
    2,175 Strikeouts
    4.65 FIP
    1.233 WHIP
    1.84 SO/BB
    45.1 bWAR

    17 Playoff Games
    1 Win
    5 Losses
    4.31 ERA
    10 Games Started
    1 Complete Game
    1 Shutout
    2 Games Finished
    2 Saves
    64.2 Innings Pitched
    47 Strikeouts
    3.34 FIP
    1.206 WHIP
    2.04 SO/BB

    37 Runs Scored
    53 Hits
    9 Doubles
    0 Triples
    4 Home Runs
    15 Runs Batted
    0 Stolen Bases
    .104/.186/.145 Slash Line

    17 Playoff Games
    0 Runs Scored
    0 Hits
    0 Doubles
    0 Triples
    0 Home Runs
    0 Runs Batted In
    0 Stolen Bases
    .000/.133/.000 Slash Line

    15 Playoff Plate Appearances 
  • Played For: Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (3) (Oakland Athletics, 1972, 1973 & 1974) 
    MVP (1) (AL) (1971)
    Cy Young (1) (AL) (1971)
    The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year (2) (AL) (1971) (NL) (1978)
    All-Star (1971, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980 & 1981)
    Lowest ERA (1) (AL) (1971)
    Lowest WHIP (1) (AL) (1971)
    Lowest H/9 (1) (AL) (1971)
    Highest SO/9 (1) (AL) (1971)
    Most Shutouts (1) (AL) (1971)
    Lowest FIP (2) (AL) (1971 & 1976)
    Highest Win Probability Added (2) (AL) (1971 & 1976)
    Highest Championship Win Probability Added (2) (AL) (1971 & 1976)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Pitcher (1) (NL) (1981)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Pitcher (3) (AL) (1971 & 1973) (NL) (1978)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Cy Young Finishes: Won the 1971 AL Cy Young 
    (AL: 1973, 7th), (AL: 1975, 6th), (AL: 1976, 6th) & (NL: 1978, 3rd)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (ERA)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (WHIP)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (H/9)
    1 Top Ten Finish (BB/9)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (SO/9)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Strikeouts)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Games Started)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Complete Games)                 
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Shutouts) 
    4 Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)

  • Notable All Time Rankings:

    57.   Shutouts: 37
    70.   Strikeouts: 2,175
    71.   Games Started: 473
    90.   Win Probability Added: 23.0
    92.   Innings Pitched: 3,343.1

  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    1992: 5.3%
    1993: 8.7%
    1994: 3.1%
    1995: 5.7%

    Veterans:
    2011: ()

  • Should be Inducted As A: Oakland Athletic

Should Vida Blue be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 62.5%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 37.5%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%

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