Newcomer Arnold Earns Award

Blue would energize an entire Major League stadium while running to and from the mound between innings. It was something pitchers didn’t do at that time. He had a high leg kick that could freeze a batter.

He was a switch hitter at the plate and so athletic he was called on to pinch run at times.

In 1971 the hard throwing lefty had a 24–8 record and led the AL with a 1.82 ERA and eight shutouts, striking out 301 batters. He won both the Cy Young Award and American League Most Valuable Player Award. He also led the He led the American League with 24 complete games and 8 shutouts.

He got off to a awesome start, going 10–1 when he linked up with Boston’s Sonny Siebert who was 8–0, in a heavily anticipated May matchup in Boston. The game was won by Siebert and the Red Sox 4–3 and remains what is considered one of the most dramatic games in Fenway Park history. Rumor has it Blue threw so hard some claimed to hear a few of his fastballs hitting the catcher’s mitt while outside the famed ballpark.

He along with Reggie Jackson helped lead the team to world series wins in 1972,1973 and 1974.

In his 16-year career he pitcher for the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals. He finished his career with 209 wins and 2,175 strikeouts with an era of 3.21.

He became a baseball analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area, the TV home of the San Francisco Giants.

LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 8: Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a three point basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semi Finals on May 8, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.