DATE: 5-24-1983 ORIGINAL or REPRINT: Type 1 Original - Printed from the original negative within about 2 years of when it was shot TEAM: Kansas City Royals SUBJECT: Vida Blue APPROXIMATE SIZE: 10"x6-1/4" NUMBER OF PHOTOS: 1 COMMENTS / CONDITION: This is one of a large accumulation of vintage sports photographs, slides and negatives that we will be listing over the coming months. Wear on these, if any, is mostly confined to minor corner and edge wear, but see scans for further details including condition. We do not deal in stock images or modern reprints, and all scans shown are of the actual vintage photograph, slide or negative being sold. If you have any questions about a particular piece, please ask before the auction ends. BIO: Vida Rochelle (Jr.) Blue was born in 1949 in Mansfield, LA. He played major league baseball from 1969 to 1986 as pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals, appeared in the 1972, 1973 and 1974 World Series, and was selected 6 times as an All-Star. Blue was the American League MVP, Cy Young Award Winner and Pitcher of the Year in 1971, and was later National League Pitcher of the Year in 1978. On December 15, 1983, Blue was suspended for one year by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, alongside former Royals teammates Willie Aikens, Willie Wilson and Jerry Martin and Dodgers reliever Steve Howe because of cocaine use. He was also sentenced to 90 days in jail for the offense. His career appeared to be over, given his poor performance and the stigma of his drug use, but he made a comeback in 1985, pitching effectively for two more seasons with the Giants. He then signed a free agent contract with the A's for 1987, then announced his retirement as spring training was about to open. He is the only player in history to be credited with the win at the All-Star Game for both the AL and the NL. He was also the first pitcher to start the game for both leagues. SKU: SPP01480
Item: SPP01480
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