Vida Blue

At Mansfield’s De Soto High School, he threw a 7-inning no-hitter, recording every out by strikeout.

In 1969, Blue signed a contract with the Oakland A’s, and he soon became one of baseball’s most-feared left-handed pitchers. In 1971, Blue achieved a rare double honor, winning the American League Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player.

Blue played a pivotal role in the Oakland A’s three consecutive World Series championships from 1972 to 1974. Blue was a six-time All-Star and the first pitcher to start an All-Star Game for both the American and National Leagues. On Sept. 21, 1970, Blue fired a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins in his 16th career game.

Blue went 209-161 with a 3.27 ERA in 17 Major League seasons, pitching for Oakland, San Francisco and Kansas City. He is a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame and the Giants Wall of Fame.