Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 30, 1995 TAG: 9507310140
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES C. BLACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Vida Blue is a crowd pleaser, much the way he was as a major-league pitcher for 17 years with the Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals in the 1970s and '80s.
Blue shook hands, signed autographs and introduced himself with a big smile Saturday evening before playing in the ninth annual Miller Lite Old Timers' game at Salem Municipal Field.
And as he did when he first put on a professional jersey 27 years ago for the A's Midwest League farm team, the Burlington (Iowa) Bees, he still loves the game.
``Any time you can get back in uniform it's fun,'' Blue said during preparations for Saturday's event.
During his career, Blue achieved virtually everything a big-league pitcher can in a career. From American League Cy Young and MVP winner to three-time World Series champion, Blue has done it all.
Wearing a white Giants polo shirt, Blue said, ``All that stuff`` when asked what part of the game he misses the most.
``The World Series has to be at the top,'' Blue said. ``And then to do it three years straight.'' In addition, he said it was so exciting for him because, ``I was one of the youngest guys on the team.''
Blue won the AL award for best pitcher and player in 1971 and was a member of the World Series A's from 1972-74.
``My 17 years were self-fulfilling for me,'' he said. ``It opened up doors.''
After retiring from baseball in 1986, following his second stint with the Giants, Blue took his life in a different direction.
Blue got married in 1989 and now has four children. And even though he does community work and other tasks for the Giants, Blue said he couldn't imagine having been a family man and playing baseball at the same time.
``That's a full-time job,'' Blue said, adding that ``it takes a special breed of woman to be married to an athlete.''
The biggest moment of Blue's career probably came off the field, when he was suspended and missed the entire 1984 season because of drug abuse.
``It made me more aware of the things that go on around me,'' Blue said, ``and I talk about it when I talk to kids. Unfortunately, I don't have to make it up.''
Just like when he talked about the successes of his career, Blue didn't hesitate to talk about the down side.
``Pro athletes are targets,'' he said. ``There are as many people who want you to get involved with drugs as there are people who want you to make $20,000 investments into something.''
But Saturday, Blue wasn't battling drugs or major-league players wanting to take him deep. Blue was just facing a bunch of fans who wanted his autograph afterward.
by CNB