In 1969, Vida Blue was 10-3, 3.20 for the Class AA Birmingham Barons. His right-handed teammate. LaDon Boyd, was the league Pitcher of the Year with a record of 13-5, 2.19. Yet it was Blue who received the accolades and the Topps Rookie Stars card in 1970. Boyd, who was only 22 in '69, never broke through despite four seasons in Triple-A. In 1970, he was one of the final two players cut on April 1.
His career ended after only three games in 1973 and he returned to his native Florida to serve as a coach and teacher.
