How Much Did Vida Blue Make In 1971? A Look At His Salary

Vida Blue’s salary in 1971 was $14,500. This was a modest salary, even for the time. President Richard Nixon remarked that Blue “must be the most underpaid player in the game.” In the spring of 1972, Blue held out for a raise because the Oakland A’s owner, Charlie Finley, was unwilling to meet his demands.

Finley was known for his stinginess and for being a tough negotiator. He had a reputation for being cheap and for not spending much money on players’ salaries. It is true that Blue was a very talented player. In 1971, he won the American League Cy Young Award and was a key member of the Oakland A’s, who won the World Series that year. He was also a very popular player, and fans loved him. His refusal to play until Finley agreed to a salary increase was seen as a sign of his growing importance to the team. His salary demands were met and he returned to the A’s, helping to guide them to another World Series win in 1972.