The Top 40 Pitchers in Baseball History, Ranked

#37: Vida Blue

Vida Blue burst onto the scene like a thunderclap. In 1971, at just 21, he won the AL MVP and Cy Young Award, posting a 1.82 ERA and striking out 301 batters. Blue, a lefty with electric stuff and a name built for headlines, helped anchor the Oakland A’s dynasty that captured three straight World Series titles.

His career was a mix of brilliance and struggle—flashes of overpowering talent interrupted by injuries and off-field battles. Still, he finished with over 200 wins and three All-Star Game starts. For a time, Vida Blue was unstoppable. He made baseball feel wild again.