4/30/2023 0 Comments Curt floodIn the collection is this letter from Cardinals GM Bing Devine dated Octojust three days after the historic deal. The Flood-for-Allen trade is remembered today as the start of the modern era of players’ rights. It gives trade veto power to players with ten years in the big leagues and five years with the same club. Today the “Curt Flood Rule” is in affect. By the middle of the following year the game welcomed free-agency. Late in 1975 the reserve clause was struck down in a union case brought on be Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally. The case reached the US Supreme Court in 1972 when the justices ruled in favor of the status quo. Flood believed the system relegated players to a piece of property.įlood sued baseball and its commissioner Bowie Kuhn. His stance was that baseball’s system violates the basic rights as an American citizen. Louis, Flood refused to report to Philadelphia. The trade of Curt Flood from the Cardinals to the Phillies for Dick Allen started a chain of events that changed baseball history. The centerfielder and player advocacy trailblazer signed it at the bottom. Shown here is the reverse of the contract between Flood and PicturePal. Players with a team for five consecutive seasons and in the league for a decade must give their consent to be traded. It did exactly what Flood pushed for – it severely limited baseball’s antitrust status and limited owners’ control over contracts and careers of the players.īaseball now has the Curt Flood Rule, also called the 10/5 Rule. In 1998 the Curt Flood Act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Six months later the union and the owners forged an agreement that included free agency. In December, 1975 the clause was struck down in a case involving Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally. Though the case didn’t immediately change the game, it emboldened the players’ union to eliminate the reserve clause. On Jthey ruled in favor of Kuhn and Baseball. The case made its way to the US Supreme Court. Flood filed a $1M lawsuit against Kuhn and Major League Baseball, citing a violation of federal antitrust laws. Kuhn denied Flood’s request for free-agency citing the reserve clause in every big league contract. I, therefore, request that you make known to all Major League clubs my feelings in this matter, and advise them of my availability for the 1970 season.” I have received a contract offer from the Philadelphia club, but I believe I have the right to consider offers from other clubs before making any decision. “It is my desire to play baseball in 1970, and I am capable of playing. I believe that any system which produces that result violates my basic rights as a citizen and is inconsistent with the laws of the United States and of the several States. “After twelve years in the major leagues, I do not feel I am a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective of my wishes. By doing so, he stood to lose $100,000.įlood explained his actions in a Christmas Eve letter to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn a letter. The centerfielder refused to report to his new team. On Octothe Cardinals traded Curt Flood to Philadelphia. That season Flood earned the first of his seven-consecutive Gold Glove Awards. Flood has provided his autograph twice on this front side by writing his name in the agreement dated March 5, 1963. In the collection is this contract between Flood and Picture Pal. His story as an advocate is outlined below the next picture. 294 average.ĭespite a fine playing career, Flood is best remembered today for challenging baseball’s reserve clause. The two-time World Series winner finished with 1,863 hits and a. The fine-fielding Flood led NL centerfielders in putouts four times and fielding percentage three times. When Flood retired, only Willie Mays and Richie Ashburn played more National League games in centerfield. In 1969, he recorded the first hit in an MLB regular season game in Canada. Flood helped the Cardinals reach the World Series in ’64, ’67, and ’68, winning rings in his first two tries. In 1963 he earned the first of his seven consecutive Gold Glove Awards. From then until the end of the decade, Flood hit. The Cardinals made the 20-year old their everyday centerfielder. Louis for Marty Kutyna in a five-player deal. He played in just 8 combined games with Cincinnati in ’56 and ’57 before being traded to St. Remembered primarily for his role in ushering in the free-agent era, Curt Flood was also an All Star, Gold Glover, and World Series champion.įlood broke in with the Reds as an 18-year old in 1956.
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