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On
August 16, 2008, 3x World Series Champions
and A's Legends Rollie Fingers and Vida
Blue made a special in-store appearance
at Sports Gallery's Walnut
Creek, CA Gallery.
Rollie
Fingers'
17-year career epitomized the emergence
of the modern-day relief ace. After watching
him post inconsistent results as a starter,
the A's moved Fingers to the bullpen.
He excelled quickly and frequently in
his new role. Relying on a sharp slider,
Fingers went on to notch 341 career saves.
Known for his handlebar mustache, Fingers
became a familiar site during the post-season,
appearing in 16 World Series games. Along
with his three World Series Championships
('72, '73 and '74) and '74 World Series
MVP Award, Rollie also won on both the
American League MVP and Cy Young Award
with the Brewers in 1981. His number #34
retired by both the A's and Brewers, Rollie
was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
in 1992.
Vida Blue signed with the Oakland
Athletics at age 19 instead of accepting
numerous scholarship offers to become
a major-college quarterback. He went on
to have a stellar MLB pitching career,
including being named an All-Star in 1971,
'75, '78, and '81; leading the League
in ERA in '71; and being named the League
MVP that same year. A Three-time World
Series Champion, Blue pitched with both
the Oakland A's and San Francisco Giants
during his career, making him that rare
sports figure that is equally popular
on both sides of San Francisco Bay.
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