![]() ![]() On June 19, 1970, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of baseball 5-3, not on the strength of their case, but with a belief that baseball simply should stay the way it is. Flood’s case went to the way to the Supreme Court. To no one’s surprise, the public and the media reacted to Flood’s action with disbelief, singling out the outfielder as an ingrate, a destroyer, and troublemaker. Flood decided to sue rather than take the trade to Philadelphia. Players were bound to their contract with their original team. He further wrote,”I believe any system that produces that result violates my basic right as a citizen and inconsistent with the laws of the United States.Īlthough Flood earned $90,000 a year he accused baseball of violating the 13th amendment, barring slavery and involuntary servitude. Later writing that he (Flood) after twelve years in the major leagues did not feel that he was a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective of his wishes. On December 24, 1969, Flood, requested to the commissioner, to be declared a free agent. Louis, Flood was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. Playing for the Cardinals, Flood had earned three All-Star appearances, seven Gold Gloves, and a pair of World Series championships. Louis Cardinals shocked the baseball world and America by suing Major League Baseball and its “reserve clause.”īaseball had faced legal challenges in the past, but never had a player of Flood’s caliber attempted to attack the game’s sacred provision that kept a player and his contract to a team for life. On January 16, 1970, Flood, a Black outfielder with the St. However, the one thing that jumps into your mind when mentioning Flood’s name is “the reserve clause”. ![]() When baseball historians conjure up the name Curt Flood, several images jump into one’s head. ![]() This feature was first published on BASN in February of 2006.īy Anthony McClean, Editor In Chief Emeritus Today, we take a look back at the back story surrounding Flood’s courageous stand. NOTE: On this date in 1970, Curt Flood lost his lawsuit against Major League Baseball challenging the reserve clause. ![]()
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