OAKLAND -- Vida Blue is one of those special few. You know, one of those players who somehow ended up with his first name on the back of his jersey rather than his last.

"I wanted 'Vida,'" the former A's pitcher said on Friday. "I wanted to be unique and different."

On top of that, he wanted to celebrate the name given to him by his father, Vida Blue Sr.

"He gave me his name," the 58-year-old Blue said, "so I thought that was the best gift he could have given me. Why would I want to change or alter it on my jersey?"

He's seen that name appear on "Jeopardy" boards and in a New York Times crossword puzzle. On Sunday, he'll get to see it on the backs of 10,000 A's fans.

Blue and his distinct jersey will make their return to McAfee Coliseum on Sunday when he will throw out the ceremonial first pitch while the first 10,000 fans receive a free replica Vida Blue A's jersey from the 1970s.

"I've had a pretty cool career, huh?" Blue said. "Now that I think back on it ..."

The rest of the baseball world and its following would have to agree. After all, Blue threw some pretty decent games during his career with Oakland from 1969-1977.

One year after tossing a no-hitter against Minnesota, the hard-throwing lefty compiled a 24-8 record with 301 strikeouts in his first full season in the big leagues in 1971. That same season, he took home the American League Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards.

Trophy collection aside, Blue said he cherishes those moments on the mound even more.

"That's the part of the game I miss -- the competing," Blue said. "You can't come back, but the next best thing is to be a fan."

Pitching matchup
OAK: RHP Justin Duchscherer (7-4, 2.08 ERA)
Duchscherer cruised his way through his last outing, a 15-1 A's rout over Brandon Webb and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The right-hander picked up his seventh win of the season, going eight innings, allowing only one run and five hits. Duchscherer has won four of his last five outings and has lowered his season ERA to 2.08. He will be making his first career start against the Marlins.

FLA: LHP Andrew Miller (5-5, 4.87 ERA)
Positive results are starting to emerge for Miller, who stepped up with his second straight strong seven-inning start in his last time out. In a win over the Mariners, the 23-year-old gave up one run on six hits. He showed he could cruise along without relying on the strikeout, as he fanned two, but also walked two. In a start before that, he struck out seven in seven innings, while giving up one run in a no-decision against the Phillies. Beating Seattle marked his first win since May 22, when he claimed the decision against the D-backs.

Dribblers
Before the start of Saturday's game, manager Bob Geren described the A's bullpen "on the thin side, for sure." Chad Gaudin was the only Oakland reliever not part of Friday's 11-inning victory, in which the A's used seven pitchers. ... Geren mentioned Friday's game was "the best I've ever seen the ball fly at night" because of the warm weather. Game-time temperature had been announced at 91 degrees. ... Mike Sweeney is in the process of rehabbing his two knees from June 11 arthroscopic surgery. Geren said the A's designated hitter and first baseman, who is currently nursing the knees in San Diego, is "doing alright and was encouraged with how (surgery) went." ... Eric Chavez's first-inning double in Saturday's game moved him ahead of Reggie Jackson on the A's all-time list of extra-base hits. The third baseman, now in second place with 522, needs 41 more to tie Mark McGwire for the lead. ... After Friday's batting practice, Jack Hannahan decided the heat was good enough reason to shave off all his hair -- so that's exactly what the A's infielder did. He was seen in the clubhouse after the game with an almost-bald look. Daric Barton and Ryan Sweeney joined Hannahan in trimming their buzzed hair. ... Broadcaster Ken Korach's "A's Winning for the Community" program held a Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament on Saturday at The Warehouse in Oakland, raising $3,425 for high school sports programs in the Oakland Athletic League.

A's Interleague record: 119-85 overall, 5-4 in 2008

A's 2008 Interleague Schedule:
May 16 at Braves: Lost, 3-2
May 17 at Braves: Won, 5-4
May 18 at Braves: Lost, 5-2
June 13 at Giants: Won, 5-1
June 14 at Giants: Won, 4-0
June 15 at Giants: Won, 5-3
June 17 at Diamondbacks: Won, 15-1
June 18 at Diamondbacks: Lost, 11-1
June 19 at Diamondbacks: Lost, 2-1
June 20 vs. Marlins: Won, 7-6
June 21 vs. Marlins: Lost, 6-4
June 22 vs. Marlins
June 24 vs. Phillies
June 25 vs. Phillies
June 26 vs. Phillies
June 27 vs. Giants
June 28 vs. Giants
June 29 vs. Giants

Tickets
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On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
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•  Official game notes

On television
• CSN+

On radio
• KFRC 106.9 FM/KYCY 1550 AM

Up next
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Athletics (Joe Blanton, 3-10, 4.81) vs. Phillies (Jamie Moyer, 7-4, 4.09), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Wednesday: Athletics (TBD) vs. Phillies (Kyle Kendrick, 6-3, 5.06), 7:05 p.m. PT