Vida Blue, former AL MVP and 3-time World Series champ, dies - ESPN

Former major league pitcher Vida Blue has died. He was 73 years old.

The 1971 winner of both the AL MVP and Cy Young awards, Blue's playing career spanned three decades with the Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals and two stints with the San Francisco Giants.

Following his award-winning 1971 season, Blue clashed with A's owner Charlie Finley over his salary and played sparingly in 1972 as the A's marched to the first of three straight World Series titles.

The left-hander played an integral role in the 1973 and 1974 titles. But Blue's tumultuous relationship with Finley proved prophetic as the owner broke up the A's championship core instead of paying the stars in free agency.

Most recently, Blue had been an analyst on Giants broadcasts.

A's great Dave Stewart tweeted out his condolences, calling Blue «my mentor, hero, and friend.»

Vida Blue rest in peace, my mentor, hero, and friend. I remember watching a 19 year old phenom dominate baseball, and at the same time alter my life. There are no words for what you have meant to me and so many others. My heart goes out to the Blue family