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Word: vida (lookup in dictionary) (lookup stats)
Dates: during 1970-1979
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...Orioles are no less myopic than the other American League teams that have been chasing the phantom fastballs of Vida (as in Ida) Blue (as in lightning). After losing the season opener to the Washington Senators, he won ten games in a row and became a kind of fireballing folk hero. When he posted victory No. 11 against the New York Yankees, the largest crowd to see a night game in Yankee Stadium in three years turned out for what was billed as "Blue Tuesday." Five days later, Blue won No. 12 in Washington before 40,246 fans, the Senators...

Author: /time Magazine | Title: Sport: A Bolt of Blue Lightning | 8/23/1971 | See Source »

Three days later, on July 28, the hottest pitcher in baseball celebrated his 22nd birthday, then returned to the Oakland Alameda Stadium to win No. 20. As usual, the organist played Rhapsody in Blue, and as usual, Vida got off to a slow start by loading the bases in the first inning. He pitched his way out of that jam, found his groove, and went on to blank the Chicago White Sox 1-0. When he squeaked to No. 21 last week by defeating the Boston Red Sox 5-3 in extra innings, a near capacity crowd...

Author: /time Magazine | Title: Sport: A Bolt of Blue Lightning | 8/23/1971 | See Source »

...lore of lefthanders is filled with tales of young fireballers like the Dodgers' Karl Spooner or Cleveland's Herb Score who, through injury or accident, ended their careers in one quick flameout. "Vida's one of those kids who come along once in a lifetime," says Posedel. "He throws awful hard, and the only thing you don't know is if his arm is ready for it." Says A's Manager Dick Williams: "I'd like to keep him in a glass case between starts...

Author: /time Magazine | Title: Sport: A Bolt of Blue Lightning | 8/23/1971 | See Source »

...snap off a high, hard one with seemingly effortless ease. After dipping into a deep windup, he cocks his right knee to his shoulder, rears back until the ball is almost touching the ground behind him and then, in a whipping overhand motion, smokes it across the plate. "Vida has three things going for him," says Oakland Catcher Dave Duncan. "First, he's overpowering. Second, his ball moves. Third, he's sneaky. He has that nice, easy motion, so you think you can hit him. But you can't pick up the ball until it's too late...

Author: /time Magazine | Title: Sport: A Bolt of Blue Lightning | 8/23/1971 | See Source »

Though comparisons are inevitable, Blue does not welcome them. Invariably, A's Manager Williams will say, "Vida reminds me of Sandy Koufax?with a five-year head start." And just as quickly Blue will add, "Funny, I don't look Jewish." He explains that "it's nice to be compared with Koufax or Lefty Grove, who were great in their time. But this is just my first year. What have I accomplished besides winning so-and-so many games? I'm not trying to imitate anybody. I'm Vida Blue. I just pitch the way Vida Blue does...

Author: /time Magazine | Title: Sport: A Bolt of Blue Lightning | 8/23/1971 | See Source »

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