Vida Blue
Posted in Uncategorized on 10/06/2010 11:44 am by admin
Who was the better pitcher Dwight Gooden or Vida Blue?
Wow! Vida Blue is one of my favorite all-time pitchers and in my top 40 list. Seemingly, nowadays, he is totally ignored and forgotten as being a great left handed pitcher. He was good very young. First pitched in MLB at age 19.
At age 21, (1971), he led AL in wins, 24 and lost only 8. Finished with a lifetime record of 209 wins and 161 losses. Also led the AL in strikeouts in 1977 with 284.
Interesting sidebar on Vida, he made his MLB debut on JUly 20, 1969. The day that Americans landed on the moon. Pretty auspicious, I,d say.
That said, Doc is in my top 35 list, so I rate him as better. He was so totally dominant in the year, (1985) he won 24 and lost only 4. A terrific pitcher at age 20. Not only that, but the year before at age 19, he was 17 and 9, and led the NL in K’s. Phenomenal! And, don’t forget that no hitter.
Life time 194 wins and only 112 losses.
Vida Blue- Most Events Aren’t Planned