RIP Vida Blue
RIP Vida Blue.
The 1972 ALCS was epic. Vida Blue kept the Tigers out of the World Series with an unbelievable finish in game 5. No hate for him, he was just that good.
Aw man, he was just at the 50th anniversary tribute to the '73 team a couple weeks ago too.
RIP, Vida.
Dominant in both Micro League Baseball and Strat-o-matic. Had the '72 A's team SOM card set. Loved beating my uncle with his 61 Yankees set.
I miss Stratomatic! Was fun starting Jack Morris with the ‘84 set!!
Can we stop with random RIPs please? Just because you cared about someone who was vaguely important didn't mean we need another thread. The self indulgence is out of control around here.
This is actually an interesting & useful link. Thanks for sharing 01!
So you want RIPs to RIP? Maybe we should commemorate the VIPs on the QT, particularly if one of the VIPs is a V.P. In this case, Vida was a P. So, it probably makes the OP OK?
I certainly don't want to be put on KP.
I'll never really understand the people who click on Message Board posts that are clearly labeled only to complain about them. Don't want to read about Vida Blue? Don't read about Vida Blue!
Jeez. Talk about self-indulgent.
It's self indulgence to note the death of somewhat legendary sports figure? Dude, you're an angry person.
Vida Blue is not random - he was one of the all time greats. He would have made the Hall of Fame is the top of career lasted longer. I only found out of his passing because of mgoblog.
Geez, somebody woke up on the wrong side of the mullet
Calm down Francis
Lighten up, Francis? Or did something change?
Id like to argue that RIP threads are very specific and not random at all. Now if I RIP to Keith Jackson on any given day that would be random but who here would do such a thing?
When that sad day comes, Keith Jackson will most certainly get a RIP thread dedicated to him.
FYI, YOU DON’T HAVE TO CLICK ON A TOPIC YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT!!!
How is he going to bitch about it if he doesn't click on it?
Those A's teams broke my heart more then once. They were fun to watch though. Reggie, before he was Reggie.
You can skip the posts,threads, you dont want to read !!!
I'll tell you what's self-indulgent--your post.
LOL @ "self indulgence is out of control." Have you read any of your posts ever?
Maybe you should just shut the fuck up instead of posting jackass… just a thought … and GO BLUE btw !!!!
I just watched the Reggie Jackson documentary a couple of months ago, and he was part of it. A lot of discussion about the racism that Reggie experienced. I'm sure Vida Blue did as well.
The 9-10 yr old me was a big A's fan of that '72-'74 era, in addition to the Tigers. About the same time I became a Michigan Football fan.
Our little league team went to one Tiger game every year and about that time frame EVERYONE bought the plastic A's batting helmet.
Well, not everyone. I was mad about '72
71 Season. 24 complete games and 8 shut outs.
I know those aren't all-time records, but those numbers will never be duplicated. You could give today's pitchers 5 years, and only a select few would get close.
Of course, he probably had an undiagnosed UCL tear that needed surgery, but my point stands.
Blue's 24 complete games in one season reminds me of the comment Jack Morris made after Justin Verlander's first no-hitter: "I'm surprised they let him go nine innings."
One of my favorites as a young boy. I remember having all my baseball cards of the all-star players in a pile growing up and laying them down on the floor in front of the TV in the position they were playing on the field. His card was needed multiple years in a row.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS1020US1020&hl=en-US&sxsrf=APwXEdeTiuYo3rEKHBmPKaSVi2FDKLrILg:1683505703849&q=vida+blue&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwib9dG7u-T-AhUSkokEHX0IAQYQ0pQJegQIDhAB&biw=390&bih=669&dpr=3#imgrc=66JMioeCoo6DJM
Thought page McConnell died, Jesus. You about gave me a heart attack.
Most events aren't planned.
My man.
Vida was a regular fixture when I lived in Napa. Hilarious, gracious, always fun to talk baseball. Rest in peace.
So im not super familiar with him, and had to look up his statistics. Holy crap that 71 season! My word. But the strange thing is, it was a huge outlier. 301 Strikeouts - next best season was 189 then 174 after that. Did he have an injury that set him back after that season?
+1 for emulating Blue's leg kick and wind up! He is up there with Bob Gibson and Juan Marichal in that category during my knucklehead Little League youth. Blue was also on the cover of Time magazine in 1971 if I remember.
The rabid Tiger fan little kid in me still thinks Lolich should have won the Cy Young in 1971. Led the league in wins, strikeouts, complete games, innings pitched and games started.
(Blue led in ERA and won the MVP as well).
May be sour grapes but I'm sticking to it.
Keep the sports RIPs going! If you’re on this blog every day you’ve been a sports nut since grade school, and hearing about your memories of your favorite sports heroes is like kicking back and having a beer with my frat buddies at the VBell. It brings back good times and gets me to September
Knock back another pitcher and keep ‘em coming! I love and respect all my brothers.
Reggie Jackson's home run clearing the right field roof was something I'll never forget.
Vida Blue against Doc Ellis as starters. The greatest collection of HOFer in an exciting game.
Worth watching the entire replay.
Vida was a dominant pitcher who throw smoke. Also remember him starting the All Star game at Tiger stadium. Left us too soon. RIP Vida.