Vida Blue was from my home state (Louisiana). He was a hard-throwing three-time World Series champion pitcher (1972-74) with the Oakland A's. I remember watching him when I just a young boy learning to play the game myself. His Major League career began almost 20 years after 1951, considered the last major league season of Negro league baseball.
He's still living, so I should have said Vida IS from my home state. He pitched a no-hitter in just his second season in the Major Leagues (September 21, 1970 vs. the Minnesota Twins).