The Summit Bank Foundation established the Vida Blue Scholarship Fund in 2013, from the proceeds of the golf tournament. Vida has been a true role model, not only as an exemplary baseball player, but in his extensive work with children’s charities and as a wonderful support of our Foundation.

Born in Mansfield, Louisiana, Blue was a baseball and football star at DeSoto High School. He was signed by Kansas City A’s owner Charlie O. Finley as a pitcher in 1967. Two years later, he made his debut for the A’s, by now relocated to Oakland.

In 1970, he pitched a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins. He won both the American League Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Awards in 1971, posting a 24-8 record with a 1.82 earned run average with eight shutouts. On the heels of his stellar 1971 season, he was invited to appear in cameo roles for several motion pictures in the ensuing months. He pitched in the World Series for the A’s annually from 1972 to 1974, and started All-Star Games in 1971, 1975, and 1978. He was traded to the San Francisco Giants in 1978, and then to the Kansas City Royals in 1982 before returning to the Giants in 1985.

He retired in 1987 with 209 victories, 143 complete games, 37 shutouts, and a lifetime 3.26 earned run average. He has been named to dream teams for both the A’s and the Giants. In 1995, he was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. He serves as a community representative for the San Francisco Giants and is involved in several charitable causes.

Please email any inquiries about the Vida Blue Scholarship to sbfadministration@summitbanking.com