Oakland Athletics Top Ten Pitchers in Franchise History

#5: LHP Vida Blue:

Vida Blue deservedly cracks the list, as he was a perennial Cy Young contender and MVP candidate, winning both of these awards in 1971. That 1971 campaign was truly magical for Vida, as he was a bulwark in the rotation of a team that won 101 games and took the A’s to the ALCS. That year, he hurled 312 innings in 39 starts, stifling offenses with a 1.82 ERA, and ending the season with a 24-8 record.

Blue was famously one of the most underpaid people in all of baseball after this breakout season. This inspired a dispute between himself and A’s owner Charlie Finley, which led to Blue missing much of the 1972 season as he held out for a salary that better reflected his talent. But even in this down year where he finished the season 6-10, he still maintained a 2.80 ERA and contributed to the Athletics’ first World Series championship campaign in Oakland.

The Athletics won two more World Series’ in 1973 and 1974, and Blue was a critical piece of the rotation that made that possible. This six-time All-Star (three times with the A’s) has certainly earned his place among the best A’s pitchers of all time.

Next: Top Ten Pitchers: #4