Vida Blue, 3-time World Series champion and AL MVP, dies at age 73

The Oakland Athletics said on Sunday that former American League MVP and three-time World Series winner Vida Blue passed away on Saturday at the age of 73.

The Blue family released a statement via the Athletics that said, "It is with great sadness that the Blue family mourns the passing of our beloved father Vida Blue." "Vida will always be adored, revered, and loved. She was a wonderful father, grandpa, brother, friend, and comrade. As we cope with the tragic loss of our father, we are grateful for your encouraging prayers. For your consideration and privacy at this trying time.

In the second round of the 1967 draught, the Kansas City Athletics selected Blue. Two years later, in 1969, he made his Major League Baseball debut at

"There are not many players with a more improved vocation than Vida Blue. He was a three-time champion, a MVP, a six-time Elite player, a Cy Youthful Honor victor, and an Oakland A's Corridor of Famer," the Games said in a proclamation.

"Vida will continuously be an establishment legend and a companion. We send our most profound sympathies to his loved ones during this strenuous time."

The hard-throwing left-hander went 24-8 with a 1.82 ERA in 1971 while compiling 301 strikeouts and 24 complete games, making him the youngest Most Valuable Player in AL/NL history. Blue became just the sixth athlete in history to win both honours in the same year when he won the American League Cy Young Award the same year.

Blue played with the Athletics for nine seasons during which time the team won three straight World Series titles from 1972 to 1974, a record that has only been matched since by the New York Yankees (1998–2000).

Former pitcher Vida Blue of the Oakland Athletics stands on the field during the team's 2019 Hall of Fame ceremony

Blue is a member of the Giants Wall of Fame, the Bay Area Hall of Fame, and the A's Hall of Fame. He was inducted into those halls of fame in 2019.

Giants president and CEO Larry Baer said in a statement that Vida Blue has been a baseball legend in the Bay Area for more than 50 years. "With the impact he's had on our community, his influence on the Bay Area goes beyond his 17 years on the diamond. He was a crucial component of our Junior Giants programme for many years. We send his family and friends our sincere sympathies during this difficult time.