In the modern era, Hall of Fame consideration pretty much comes down to one or both of two things (both of them in comparison to peers of the same era):
1. Great statistical measures over a long career.
2. Brilliant dominance for a period of several years.
Vida Blue doesn't fit either category. He was the best pitcher in baseball for one season. Other than that, he was a very good 15-20 game winner for several seasons -- at a time when this wasn't all that uncommon.
His career was remarkably similar to that of Orel Hershiser -- who rarely ever gets mentioned in Hall of Fame conversations.
Of course, I say this as someone who thinks every player who lasted a decade in the major leagues deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, now that a pedestrian player like Harold Baines is there.
Sometimes, I am baffled by HOF omissions. Another on that comes to mind is Bill Madlock. Four batting titles and a World Series Champion.
Nothing from HOF.