There is precedent. Those 36 years ago, cantankerous, contrarian A’s owner, Charles O. Finley had reacted pre-emptively to free agency with a fire-sale of all-stars, shipping soon-to-be-free outfielder Joe Rudi and closer Rollie Fingers to the Red Sox...

Tigers (1983-84). In 248 career games, the righty made 206 starts, went 62-83, amassed a 4.39 ERA, struck out 484 batters, and hurled five shutouts. As a member of the Athletics in 1975, Abbott was part of the first four-pitcher no-hitter in MLB history.

Grant turned the idea into a book of the same name that was published in 2006, detailing the 13 black pitchers who at that time were former 20-game winners. At the date of publication, the list included Vida Blue (1971, '73, '75), Al Downing ('71), Bob...

It doesn't adjust for era or ballparks so isn't necessarily meant to be serious sabermetric analysis, but it is a fun tool. Anyway, here are Clayton Kershaw 's top 10 most similar pitchers through age 23: 1. Vida Blue 2. Dontrelle Willis 3. Hal...

"It's a bit more high-profiled. The guys are just as good as they were 20 years ago. The last I heard, though, the money is better. Former major league baseball pitcher Vida Blue, right, reflects on his career, as former Fresno State and major league...

The event, rekindled by the Grizzlies in 2003 after a 13-year absence, begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Fresno Convention Center. Tickets are $60 for adults, $40 for children (12 and under) and $540 for a table of 10. Blue, who joined with Jim Palmer to...

13, 2012 - Eastern League (EL) Richmond Flying Squirrels RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have announced that former Cy Young Award winner and American League MVP Vida Blue will represent...

After a complete-collapse 6.37 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 1972 (for the Oakland Athletics and the Atlanta Braves) indicated his arm was gone completely, McLain was out of baseball. Vida Blue , 1971 — After a couple of cups of coffee with the A's in 1969 and...

Finley tried to sell three stars from the formidable, mustache-wearing team that had won three consecutive World Series from 1972 to ’74. Vida Blue, a three-time 20-game winner, was to be sold for $1.5 million to the Yankees. Joe Rudi and Rollie...

8D Network, which also serves as a base to websites for charities from Reggie Jackson, Pablo Sandoval and Andres Torres, included some Bay Area pieces in its inaugural auction that ends Dec. 15. It includes Vida Blue's 1971 A.L. MVP plaque, a Willie ...

The list, and what percentage of the MVP vote they received: YEAR PITCHER TM % 2011 Justin Verlander DET 71% 1992 Dennis Eckersley OAK 78% 1986 Roger Clemens BOS 86% 1984 Willie Hernandez DET 78% 1981 Rollie Fingers MIL 81% 1971 Vida Blue OAK 80% 1968...

He had previously made a pact to move the A’s to Louisville, but American League owners voted down the proposal. Finley’s farm system faith paid off and the A’s produced a raft of great ballplayers, from Reggie Jackson to Bert Campaneris, from Jim...