Lefty pitching great Vida Blue, a star for both the Oakland A’s and the San Francisco Giants, has been named Grand Marshal of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend at Sonoma Raceway, June 20-22. Blue, who was a key starter for the A’s three consecutive World Championships in 1972-74, also helped lead a resurgent Giants franchise through a dramatic 1978 campaign following a cross-bay trade. He was the first pitcher ever to start the All-Star Game for both the American League (1971) and the National League (1978). Blue will be honored on Friday, June 20, at the Children’s Champions Grand Marshal’s Banquet at beautiful Cline Cellars in Sonoma. The gala is a fundraiser for the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. He will also take part in pre-race activities on Sunday, June 22, and participate in the official command of, ‘Drivers, Start Your Engines.’(Sonoma PR)
