A few minutes ago, my iPhone altered me that Vida Blue had passed away. Vida Blue in 1971 gave me one of those days that I think about from time to time. My passion for baseball was passed on to me by my day. But baseball left his heart after the Brooklyn Dodgers left after the 1957 season for LA. Vida Blue was the must-see ballplayer of 1971. The Oakland A’s was letting the home teams on their road trips when Vida Blue was scheduled to start. The A’s were coming to Yankee Stadium, and Dad called me and asked if I would get tickets for the August 15, 1971, Oakland A’s game. Vida Blue was scheduled to pitch. I cannot tell you how many times I said Dad would you like to go to a ballgame this weekend. The Yankees lost, and I had one of the best days of my life.

Vida Blue June 6, 1976, Yankee Stadium