Oakland Athletics

Oakland A’s Legend Vida Blue Dies

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Oakland Athletics legend Vida Blue has died at the age of 78. Blue, a left-handed pitcher who won both MVP and AL Cy Young awards in 1971, played in the MLB between 1969 and 1986. He spent nine years with the A’s before trading to the Giants. After six years with the Giants, he was traded to the Royals but only spent two years in Kansas City before being released. He returned to the Giants for another two seasons before signing a contract with the A’s to retire in Oakland.

“There are few players with a more decorated career than Vida Blue,” the Athletics said in a statement Sunday. “Vida will always be a franchise legend and a friend.” “Vida Blue has been a Bay Area baseball icon for over 50 years,” Giants president Larry Baer said in a statement. “His impact on the Bay Area transcends his 17 years on the diamond with the influence he’s had on our community.”

Vida Blue Defined 70s Baseball

OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 17, 1974: Picher Vida Blue #14 of the Oakland Athletics pitches to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 1974 World Series at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 17, 1974 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Herb Scharfman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)

Vida Blue was one of the biggest reasons people watched baseball in the 1970s. He was a young, outspoken pitcher who would pick up the legacy of 60s icons like Bob Gibson. After pitching in just 18 games across 1969 and 1970, he broke out in 1971. He posted a fantastic 1.82 ERA across 39 games while also recording 24 complete games. Blue would be part of the A’s squad that won three consecutive World Series between 1972 and 1974. While he played sparingly in 1972, he heavily contributed to their successes in 1973 and 1974. However, Blue’s time in Oakland would come to an end when he was traded to the Giants in 1978. He continued to play well in San Francisco, being named an all-star in three of his six years with the team.

However, his production began to decline in the 1980s and he was eventually traded to the Royals. Blue lasted just two years in Kansas City, being released in 1983. Later that year, Blue was one of four former Royals to plead to drug charges. Blue spent three months in prison and was suspended for the 1984 season. Returning to baseball in 1985, he headed back to San Francisco. Despite being 35, he still started 48 games over the next two seasons. He officially retired in 1987 after signing a spring contract with the Athletics. He reportedly struggled with substance abuse later in life. However, he is a man who remains a baseball hero for many. Rest in peace, Vida Blue.

Raiders Owner Mark Davis Calls Out Oakland Athletics

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Mark Davis made the big move for his Raiders franchise. The Raiders moved from Oakland to Las Vegas and has turned out to be a great move for the franchise. Now it seems that another Oakland franchise is looking to make the move to Vegas. The Oakland Athletics have recently been involved in talks about moving the franchise. The Athletics play in a dreadful stadium. Recently it was discovered that opossum even lived in their press box. A move for Oakland’s baseball team is just a matter of time.

However, Davis is of the belief that the Athletics have handled the relocation poorly. According to Davis, the Athletics weren’t the best business partners when the Raiders shared a stadium with the team. According to Davis’ comments to TMZ, the Raiders owner still holds hate for the organization. “They marketed the team as ‘Rooted in Oakland,’ that’s been their mantra through the whole thing,” Davis said. “The slogans they’ve been using have been a slap to the face of the Raiders, and they were trying to win over that type of mentality in the Bay Area. Well, all they did was f*** the Bay Area.”

Mark Davis Not Happy With Athletics

When the Athletics do inevitably leave Oakland, it will be the third franchise in recent memory to do so. The Athletics will be following the Raiders and the Warriors out of time. As the Warriors now call San Francisco home. The Oakland Coliseum was once a proud place for sporting events. However, the relationship between the Raiders and Athletics slowly turned the Coliseum into a ghost of days gone by. However, Davis’ words do not seem that honorable. Since he also left Oakland for greener pastures.

Whatever the case may be, Oakland losing another professional sports team is sad. Although it is always sad to see a franchise be moved. Recently when the Rams moved back to Los Angeles, the move was a gut punch to St. Louis. St. Louis has proven to be an excellent sports town. As well as an excellent football town, as its residents fully support their XFL team. It’s never easy to see your favorite team move. As for Oakland fans, it’s going to happen for the second time in three years. Do you agree with Mark Davis on how the Athletics are handling the relocation process? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section. For the latest sports news, keep it right here at HNHH.