RIP - Vida Blue

 

Vida Blue, who pitched for the Athletics, Giants, and Royals from 1969-86, passed away on May 9, 2023 at age 73.

Blue pitched briefly for the A's in 1969 and 1970, then made the team permanently in 1971. That season he won the Cy Young and MVP awards, while leading the league in ERA (1.82) and shutouts (8). He also won 24 games, and made his first of 6 All-Star teams. He won 20 or more games in '71, '73, and '75. and pitched in the post-season every year from 1971 to 1975. 

 

In mid-June 1976 he was sold to the Yankees, but the deal was voided by the league 2 days later. In 9 seasons with the A's, he compiled a 124-86 record. 

 

In March 1978 he was traded to the Giants for SEVEN players. In his 4 seasons with the Giants he won 18, 14, 14, and 8 games. 

 

Blue was traded to the Royals in March 1982 for 4 players. He was 13-12 in 1982, but only posted a record of 0-5 in 19 games in 1983, leading to his release in early-August. 

 

After being out of baseball in 1984, the Giants signed him in April 1985, and he posted records of 8-8 and 10-10 over the next 2 seasons. 

 

Blue returned to the Athletics in January 1987 but retired the following month. In 17 seasons, he pitched in 502 games (473 starts). 

 

New York Post obituary 

 

USA Today obituary 

 

RIP - Mike Shannon

 

Mike Shannon, who played for the Cardinals for 9 seasons, then broadcast their games for another 30 years, passed away on April 29, 2023 at age 83.

Shannon made his major-league debut with the Cards in September 1962. He won the starting right field job during the 2nd half of 1964, then moved to 3rd base upon the arrival of Roger Maris in 1967. 

 

In 1970 he contracted a kidney disease, ending his career in mid-August. After a year in the team's front office, he joined the broadcasting team in 1972, and continued until his retirement in 2021.

 

St. Louis Today obituary 

 

New York Post obituary 

   

RIP - Dick Groat

 

Dick Groat, a shortstop for the Pirates and others, passed away on April 27, 2023 at age 92.

Groat was signed by the Pirates out of Duke University in June 1952, and went directly to the Pirates (never playing in the minors). Groat took over the starting shortstop job, and finished 3rd in the NL ROY voting. 

 

After the baseball season, Groat joined the NBA's Fort Wayne Pistons (having been a college All-American basketball player at Duke). 

 

He missed the next 2 baseball seasons while in military service (at age 23?), but returned for 8 more seasons with the Bucs, including the 1960 championship season, where he also won the NL MVP award. 

 

He played for the Cardinals from 1963-65 (including his 2nd WS championship. Groat finished up his career with the Phillies from 1966-67 and the Giants in '67. 

 

Associated Press obituary 

 

RIP - Dennis Ribant

 

Dennis Ribant, a pitcher for several clubs in the 1960s, passed away on April 24, 2023 at age 81.

Ribant debuted with the Mets in early-August 1964, after being acquired from the Braves' organization on the previous day. 

 

In 1966 he posted a 11-9 record, his .550 winning percentage the best by a Mets' pitcher to that point. 

 

After spending 1967 with the Pirates, he moved on to the Tigers in 1968, but was sold to the White Sox before the end of the season, so missed the World Series. 

 

In December 1968 he was purchased by the Royals (the reason for this card) but was traded to the Cardinals before the start of the 1969 season, so never played for KC. Ribant finished up with the Reds in 1969.  

 

New York Post obituary 

 

Obituary 

 

RIP - Fred Klages

 

Fred Klages, who pitched briefly for the White Sox in the mid-1960s, passed away on March 30, 2023 at age 79.

Klages pitched 14 games (12 starts) for the White Sox, the first coming on 9/11/66 and the last on 9/11/67.  A rotator cuff injury ended his 1967 season.

 

He pitched in the Sox' minor-league system every year from 1962-69, and finished the '69 season with the Senators' AAA team and also a few games in the Mexican League.

 

Klages was one of the many professional athletes hailing from the Pittsburgh area. (Others include Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Joe Namath, Mike Ditka, Stan Musial, Ken Griffey Sr, Tony Dorsett, Babe Parilli, Doc Medich, Tito and Terry Francona, Pete Maravich, Po James, and Joe Verbanic.)

 

Obituary