(CNN) Vida Blue, former American League MVP and three-time World Series champion with the Oakland Athletics, died Saturday at the age of 73, the team announced Sunday.
“It is with great sadness that the Blue family mourns the loss of our beloved father, Vida Blue,” Blue’s family said in a statement through the athletics. “Vida was a great father, grandfather, brother, friend and teammate who will forever be cherished, honored and loved. We appreciate your uplifting prayers as we deal with the overwhelming loss of our father. We ask for respect and privacy during this challenging time.”
Blue was drafted by then-Kansas City Athletics in the second round of the 1967 draft. He made his Major League Baseball debut two years later in 1969 at age 19, the team’s sophomore year after moving to Oakland.
During his career, Blue played 17 seasons with the Athletics, the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals. He finished with a record of 209-161, with a 3.27 ERA and 2,175 strikeouts.
“There are few players with a more successful career than Vida Blue. He was a three-time champion, MVP, six-time All-Star, Cy Young Award winner and Oakland A’s Hall of Famer.” said the athletics in an opinion.
“Vida will always be a franchise legend and friend. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
First pitch of the 1975 All-Stars game by Oakland A’s Vida Blue
In 1971, the powerful left-hander became the youngest Most Valuable Player in AL/NL history after a 24-8 with a 1.82 ERA and 301 strikeouts and 24 complete games. Blue also won the American League’s Cy Young Award-winner that season, becoming only the fifth player to win both awards in the same year.
During his nine seasons with the Athletics, Blue helped the team win three consecutive World Series titles from 1972-1974, a feat since only the New York Yankees (1998-2000) have matched.
Blue’s MLB career foundered on drug problems. According to MLB.com, Blue was suspended from baseball and serving a short prison sentence for attempting to buy cocaine. He was suspended for the entire 1984 season by MLB commissioner Bowie Kuhn before being reinstated in 1985.
He would play two more seasons with the Giants before retiring in 1987.
Former Oakland Athletics pitcher Vida Blue stands on the field during the team’s 2019 Hall of Fame ceremony.
Blue was inducted into the A’s Hall of Fame in 2019 and is a member of the Giants Wall of Fame and the Bay Area Hall of Fame.
“Vida Blue has been a baseball icon in the Bay Area for over 50 years,” Giants President and CEO Larry Baer said in a statement. “His impact on the Bay Area surpasses his 17 years on the Diamond with the impact he had on our community. For many years he was such an integral part of our Junior Giants program. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.”