Vida Blue, three-time World Series champ with A's, dead at 73

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Vida Blue, a former pitcher who helped the Oakland Athletics win three consecutive World Series championships in the 1970s, has died, the team announced Sunday. He was 73.

Blue made his debut for the Athletics at the age of 19 in 1969. He played for the A's for nine years before he joined the San Francisco Giants and later the Kansas City Royals. He had two stints with the Giants in his career.

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Oakland A's Vida Blue, the hard-throwing left-hander who became one of baseball's biggest draws, in 1976. (AP Photo)

Oakland released a statement on Blue’s death.

"There are few players with a more decorated career than Vida Blue," the Athletics said. "He was a three-time champion, an MVP, a six-time All-Star, a Cy Young Award winner, and an Oakland A's Hall of Famer. Vida will always be a franchise legend and a friend. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this arduous time."

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Blue was at the 50th anniversary celebration of the 1973 World Series-winning team in April. A cause of death was not announced.

Wes Stock, Vida Blue and Joe Rudi during a ceremony honoring the 50-year anniversary of the Athletics' 1973 World Series Championship before the New York Mets game at RingCentral Coliseum on April 16, 2023, in Oakland, California. (Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)

Vida Blue during a ceremony honoring the Athletics' 1973 World Series Championship at RingCentral Coliseum on April 16, 2023, in Oakland. (Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)

"Vida Blue has been a Bay