Volcanoes Land Former Cy Young Award Winner

American League Most Valuable Player

6-TimeAll-Star and 3-Time World Series Pitcher

For 4th Annual Winter Sports Banquet

Baseball Legend, VIDA BLUE, to appear inKeizer

Friday, February 18, 2011

The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes are very pleased to announce the appearance of former Cy Young winner, American League Most Valuable Player , 6-time Major League All-Star Pitcher, and three-time World Series Pitcher, Vida Blue, for the Volcanoes 4th Annual Winter Sports Banquet to be held on Friday, February 18th, at the Keizer Civic Center, beginning at 6:00 PM.

Originally drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in the 2nd round in 1967, Vida was traded by the Athletics to the San Francisco Giants in 1978. In 1982, he joined the Kansas City Royals. Vida was again signed by the Giants in 1985, and ended his legendary career with the Giants in 1986.

Vida spent 17 years in the big leagues winning 209 games against just 161 losses for a .565 winning percentage. At age 21, he hurled a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins. Blue was a member of the American League All-Star Team in 1971, 1975 and 1977, and a member of the National League All-Star Team in 1978, 1980 and 1981. In 1971, Vida's best season, he was 22-4, won the Cy Young Award and the American League Most Valuable Player with an ERA of 1.82, 8 shutouts, and 301 strikeouts. Vida pitched in the 1972, 1973 and 1974 World Series. Vida ended his career with an ERA of just 3.27, struck out 2,175 batters, won 10 or more games in eleven different seasons including a span of 8 consecutive years (1973-1980).

The banquet will begin at 6:00pm with a social hour and silent auction, followed by a delicious salmon or marinated chicken dinner at 7:00pm, and a talk by Vida Blue. Vida is also available to sign free autographs during the social hour "meet and greet", and after the event. Silent auction will include numerous baseball memorabilia and items from the 2010 World Series !

For banquet tickets, please call the Volcanoes at 503-390-2225 or purchase online at www.volcanoesbaseball.com . Tickets are $25 in advance, or $30 at the door. A table may be purchased for $200.

Don't miss one of the very best all-time great Major Leaguers, Pitcher Vida Blue.