Vida Blue was a Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher from 1969 to 1986. Several groups employed him, such as the Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, and Kansas City Royals.
Blue was most recognized for his time with the Oakland Athletics, during which he earned three World Series championships. He also earned the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in 1971.
He compiled a record of 209 wins and 161 losses throughout his career. He also achieved a 3.27 run average (ERA), recorded 2,175 strikeouts, and pitched 29 shutouts. Vida Blue died on May 7, 2023, at 73.
Table of Contents
Quick Stats
| Category | Stats |
| Birthdate | July 28, 1949 |
| Birthplace | Louisiana, United States |
| Death | May 6, 2023 |
| Age | 73 |
| Occupation | Professional Baseball Player |
| Teams | Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, Kansas City Royals |
| All-Star Selections | 6 |
| World Series Titles | 3 |
| American League MVP | 1 |
| Cy Young Award | 1 |
| Wins-Losses Record | 209-161 |
| Earned Run Average (ERA) | 3.27 |
| Strikeouts | 2,175 |
| Shutouts | 29 |
| Height | 6 ft (183 cm) |
| Weight | 189 lb (85 kg) |
| Spouse | Peggy Shannon (m. 1989; div. 1996) |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Net Worth | 1.5M |
Vida Blue Early Life
Vida Rochelle Blue Jr was born in Louisiana on July 28, 1949. He was the eldest among six siblings and attended DeSoto High School in Mansfield. Blue’s father, Vida Blue Sr., worked as a laborer at an iron foundry in Mansfield.
Blue displayed exceptional athletic abilities during childhood, excelling in baseball and football. In 1967, he was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics and later debuted in the Major League with the Oakland Athletics in 1969.
Blue’s remarkable performance earned him the American League MVP and Cy Young awards in 1971. He was also a six-time All-Star and a three-time World Series champion.
Vida Blue Age
Born on July 28, 1949, in Louisiana, Vida Blue was an American baseball player who passed away on May 6, 2023, in Tracy, California, at 73.
During his 17 seasons playing in the major leagues, primarily for the Oakland Athletics, Blue was a six-time All-Star. He also won the American League MVP and Cy Young Award in 1971.
Additionally, he was a member of three World Series championship teams. Throughout his career, Blue achieved a 209-161, maintained an ERA of 3.27, and recorded 2,175 strikeouts.
Vida Blue Family
Vida Blue’s parents were Vida Blue Sr. and Sallie Blue. Unfortunately, only information is available regarding Vida Blue Sr.’s occupation as a laborer in an iron foundry in Mansfield. Unfortunately, there is no additional information regarding Sallie Blue’s occupation or life.
Vida Blue was the eldest among six siblings, born to parents Vida Blue Sr. and Sallie Blue. Presently, there is no available information regarding Vida Blue’s siblings.
Vida Blue Wife
Vida Blue was wedded to Peggy Shannon, and the couple had twins born in the early 1990s. Blue’s relationship with Charlie Finley, the owner of the Oakland Athletics, was fraught with turbulence.
In 1976, Blue requested that Finley trade him, but the trade did not materialize, which affected Blue’s performance and his rapport with the team. Nevertheless, Blue reconciled with Finley and played a pivotal role in the Athletics’ triumph in the 1981 World Series.
Vida Blue Kids
Vida Blue had twin girls with his former spouse, Peggy Shannon, who were born in the early 1990s. Nevertheless, their identities have not been disclosed publicly. Blue’s personal life is little known, including information about his children.
Vida Blue Divorce
Blue and Peggy Shannon exchanged vows in 1989. The nuptials were held at Candlestick Park, the San Francisco Giants home field. The former couple welcomed two daughters before their divorce in 1996. However, the reason for their separation remains undisclosed.
Peggy Shannon’s personal life is little known, as she has maintained a low profile. Shannon, born in 1959, is currently 64 years old. However, Vida Blue passed away on May 6, 2023, at 73.
Vida Blue Career
From 1969 to 1986, Vida Blue was a professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball for groups including the Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, and Kansas City Royals. He was born in Louisiana on July 28, 1949, and died at 73 on May 6, 2023.
Blue was a 6-time All-Star who won the Cy Young Award and the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 1971. Additionally, he was part of the Oakland Athletics team that earned three consecutive World Series titles from 1972 to 1974.
Blue achieved a 209-161 win-loss record, a 3.27 earned run average (ERA), and 2,175 strikeouts throughout his career.
Vida Blue Height And Weight
During his playing career, Vida Blue was 6 feet (183 cm) and weighed 189 pounds (85 kg). He played in 502 games, achieving a record of 209 wins and 161 losses.
Blue had earned a run average (ERA) of 3.27, 2,175 strikeouts, and 72 complete games. He was recognized for his impressive pitching skills and was awarded the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the Cy Young Award.
Controversy About Vida Blue
In 1984, Vida Blue and several former teammates, Willie Wilson, Jerry Martin, and Willie Aikens, pleaded guilty to attempting to purchase cocaine. He was imprisoned for three months and suspended for the 1984 season.
Unfortunately, substance abuse was a recurring problem throughout Blue’s career, and he was involved in a baseball cocaine scandal while playing for the Kansas City Royals. Despite serving time in prison, he was eventually granted probation.
Vida Blue Net Worth And Salary
Vida Blue, a retired American professional baseball player, earned a net worth of $1.5 million during his career. He made a total of $1.4 million in salary, with his highest-earning year being 1986, when he received $450,000 from the Giants.
Blue played in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1986, starting his professional career with the Oakland Athletics in 1969 and playing for them until 1977. During his time with the Athletics, he won three World Series championships, one MVP award, and one Cy Young award.
He later performed for the Francisco Giants from 1978 to 1981, the Kansas City Royals from 1982 to 1983, and returned to the Oakland Athletics in 1985 before retiring in 1986.
Vida Blue Death
Vida Blue, a celebrated former Major League Baseball pitcher, passed away on May 6, 2023, at 73. He is best known for his time with the Oakland Athletics, where he led the team to three World Series championships.
Blue was also honored with the American League Cy Young Prize and Most Valuable Player Award in 1971. With a career record of 209-161 and a 3.27 ERA, he was a six-time All-Star.
Vida Blue Social Media
Vida Blue was not an active user of different social media platforms. However, the man was somewhat secretive about his personal life and wanted to keep it away from the media spotlight.
FAQS
Q. Is Vida Blue still alive?
No, Vida Blue died on May 6, 2023, at 73, in Tracy, California.
Q. How old Was Vida Blue?
The Oakland Athletics announced on Sunday that Vida Blue, a former American League MVP and three-time World Series champion with the team, passed away at 73 on Saturday.
Q. Did Vida Blue have children?
Blue and Shannon had twin girls born in the early 1990s.
Q. Who was Vida Blue married to?
Former star pitcher Vida Blue tied the knot with Peggy Shannon at Candlestick Park but eventually divorced.
Q. What was the cause of Vida Blue’s death?
At 73, Vida Blue passed away due to medical complications from cancer at a hospital in San Francisco’s East Bay area, according to a statement from the A’s.
