We are sorry to share the bad news with you but the baseball legend and world champion Vida Blue is no longer with us. He passed away at the age of 73. The news of the athlete’s demise was announced on May 7, 2023, Sunday.
The three-time Oakland Athletics World Series champion died just a couple of weeks after his former team announced that they will be leaving the city of Oakland by the end of the decade. Continue reading further to discover the cause behind Vida Blue’s demise.
Oakland A’s pitcher Vida Blue passes away at 73
Vida Blue who was a six-time All-Star left for the heavenly abode on Saturday, May 6, 2023. The unfortunate news of his demise was shared on Sunday morning. As of this moment, the actual cause behind the death of the player has not been revealed. Although, some of his friends have stated he battled with an undisclosed form of cancer.
On Sunday, Oakland Athletics legend Dave ‘Smoke’ Stewart took to his Twitter account and wrote, “Vida Blue rest in peace, my mentor, hero, and friend. I remember watching a 19 year old phenom dominate baseball, and at the same time alter my life. There are no words for what you have meant to me and so many others. My heart goes out to the Blue family.”
Vida Blue rest in peace, my mentor, hero, and friend. I remember watching a 19 year old phenom dominate baseball, and at the same time alter my life. There are no words for what you have meant to me and so many others. My heart goes out to the Blue family🙏🏿🙏🏿
— Dave “Smoke” Stewart (@Dsmoke34) May 7, 2023
The team Oakland Athletics also issued a statement that was simply captioned, “A statement from the Oakland A’s on the passing of Vida Blue.”
The statement read, “There are few players with a more decorated career than Vida Blue. He was a three-time champion, an MVP, a six-time All-Star, a Cy Young Award winner and an Oakland A’s Hall of Famer. Vida will always be a franchise legend and a friend. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this arduous time.”
A statement from the family of Vida Blue. pic.twitter.com/uZEWRyzIAV
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 7, 2023
In a statement issued, Giants President Larry Baer said, “Vida Blue has been a Bay Area baseball icon for over 50 years. His impact on the Bay Area transcends his 17 years on the diamond with the influence he’s had on our community.”
Here’s all you need to know about Vida Blue (including his baseball career, personal life, and more)
The full name of Vida Blue was Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. He was a professional baseball player who was born on July 28, 1949, in Mansfield in DeSoto Parish in northwestern Louisiana to Vida Blue, Sr, and his wife Sallie. He was the eldest of six children.
Blue went to DeSoto High School in Mansfield. Right from a young age, he was pretty good at sports like baseball and football. At that time, he pitched for the baseball team and quarterbacked the football team. He decided to pursue a career in baseball after he completed a 21-strikeout no-hitter in his senior year.
Then, Vida received many great offers from several renowned colleges and universities, eventually, he pursued his major league dream right out of high school. His father’s passing affected his decision.
When did Vida Blue make his MLB debut?
Left-handed pitcher Blue was picked by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 1967 draft. He made his MLB debut with the team two years later in the year 1969. The turning point of his career came in 1971 when he kicked off 39 games for the A’s. Then, he ended up becoming their best player. He had a 24–8 record in 1971, an AL-leading 1.82 ERA, and eight shutouts.
Soon after, Blue won the 1971 AL Cy Young and MVP awards. The Oakland Athletics went on to win three consecutive World Series championships between 1972 and 1974.
Vida suffered a few issues off the court including alcoholism and drug abuse. On various occasions, he was caught by the cops while driving under the influence. In the early 80s, he was arrested by the police authorities after he tried to buy cocaine with his teammates.
Was Vida Blue married?
The iconic Oakland Athletics ace tied the knot with his ladylove Peggy Shannon in the year 1989. The pair exchanged their vows in September 1989 on the pitcher’s mound at Candlestick Park. At that time, he was 40 years old and she was 31 years old.
For the big day, Blue’s former teammate Willie McCovey played the role of his best man, meanwhile, Orlando Cepeda accompanied Shannon to the mound. However, their marriage wasn’t meant to last as the couple got divorced in 1996.
According to a report by Opoyi, Vida and his former spouse Peggy welcomed two children together during their marriage. They had twin girls in the early 1990s.
What was the net worth of Vida Blue?
As per Celebrity Net Worth, at the time of his passing, Vida Blue had a net worth of $1.5 million. Without a doubt, he was one of the best baseball players of his time.
Tributes pour in for Vida Blue
SF Giants mourned the loss of the iconic player by writing, “The #SFGiants are saddened to learn of the passing of six-time All-Star and longtime Bay Area pitcher Vida Blue. Our deepest condolences go to the Blue family, his friends and all those whose lives he touched.”
The #SFGiants are saddened to learn of the passing of six-time All-Star and longtime Bay Area pitcher Vida Blue. Our deepest condolences go to the Blue family, his friends and all those whose lives he touched. pic.twitter.com/gI7k1N68Mv
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 7, 2023
Kansas City Royals also paid a heartfelt tribute to Vida on the social media platform Twitter. The team added, “We join the baseball community in mourning the passing of Vida Blue. We send our deepest condolences to Vida’s family and loved ones.”
We join the baseball community in mourning the passing of Vida Blue. We send our deepest condolences to Vida's family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/hzi8V3SSnF
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 7, 2023
One social media user penned, “For a kid growing up in 1970s, Vida Blue was definitely one of my baseball heroes.” Followed by a second fan who wrote, “I was a young kid when I first heard about Vida, have to admit, the name caught my attention first. RIP to a pitching legend.”
A fan tweeted, “RIP Mr. Blue – you brought a great deal of excitement and enjoyment to a generation of baseball fans. I offer my condolences to your family… but I know that where you are headed is a *much* better place. Heaven’s Sandlot just got a great new pitcher! #RIP #VidaBlue”
We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Vida Blue during this time of difficulty. May his soul rest in peace. Don’t forget to stay tuned with us for the latest updates from showbiz.
