Presenting Sponsor
Home Run
Triple
Event information
WHEN
Saturday, September 9
6:00PM
WHERE
Gem Theater
1615 East 18th Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
Inductees
VIDA BLUE
When the 17-year-old Vida Blue was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 1967 MLB June Amateur Draft from De Soto High School in Mansfield, Louisiana, and offered a $25,000 signing bonus, he knew that it was his opportunity to take care of his family. His father, Vida Sr., who worked in the steel mills for 25 years, died on September 29, 1966 and left behind six children and no pension. Vida Jr., his father’s name-sake, was compelled to help his family. He honed his skills in Class A ball and made his big-league debut on July 20, 1969. On September 21, 1970, at 21, he became the fourth-youngest player in history to throw a no-hitter. The next year, his first full season in the majors, Blue went 24–8 and became only the fifth pitcher ever to win both the “MVP” and Cy Young awards.
AL DOWNING
Al Downing pitched 17 years in the majors and won 123 games, but he is best remembered as the man who gave up Hank Aaron’s 715th home run. Born on June 28, 1941 in Trenton, New Jersey, Downing signed with the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1961, and was promoted to the
major-league roster by July of that season. He became the first Black starting pitcher in the club’s history.
In 1963, his first full major-league season, he had a 13–5 win–loss
record with a 2.56 ERA for a Yankees team that went 104–57, but were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1963 World Series.
MIKE NORRIS
San Francisco-native Mike Norris, born on March 15, 1955, was drafted at nearly 18 years old by the Oakland A’s in the first round (24th overall) in January 1973. He played 10 seasons in the majors and was runner-up for the American League Cy Young Award in 1980.
DWIGHT GOODEN
Born on November 16, 1964, Dwight Eugene Gooden was surrounded by baseball all of his life. Like so many baseball greats, Gooden’s love of game was sparked and nurtured by his father, Dan, who introduced Dwight and Gary Sheffield, who was his grandson and Dwight’s nephew, to the game. Gooden’s father was a semi-pro baseball player and coach, and a little league coach. Baseball–watching it on television, listening to games on the radio, practicing in the yard and playing in little league games–was a consuming passion for the Gooden family.
DONTRELLE WILLIS
Dontrelle Willis was a rookie sensation for the Florida Marlins in 2003, posting a 3.30 ERA in 27 starts, winning National League (NL) “Rookie of the Year” honors and helping the team win the World Series. His popularity was partly due to his infectious smile, his acrobatic delivery that featured an exaggerated leg kick and his rock-solid performance.
VIP Cocktail Reception
WHEN
Saturday, September 9
5:00PM
WHERE
Inside the
Black Aces Exhibit
Presented By
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