But Allen - who died Monday at the age of 78 - was a significant part of the labor struggle in his own right, and his one year in St.
#CURT FLOOD FREE POSSIBLE OTHER FOR FREE#
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.As most fans know, when Curt Flood was traded to the Phillies after the 1969 season, he refused to report and thus began a years-long legal battle which - though Flood would ultimately lose his case - would pave the way for free agency.ĭick Allen is often just a footnote in that story - the player who came back to the Cardinals in that deal. 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. Thank you, Curt Flood!Īfter 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. The risk of failing to build this model is to forego the reward of free agency. We can do the same, but we have to have what Flood, Messersmith, and McNally had – skills, experience, credentials, and a network of people who can hire us and / or help us find opportunities.
And he showed the power of one person standing up.įinally, Flood showed all of us working in today’s at-will employment world that we have power to enjoy freedom of movement and all that goes with it (interesting work, good working conditions, nice co-workers and leadership, pay, benefits, etc…).įlood’s challenge ultimately proved successful (albeit in the future) because he and other players had the ability, track record, and industry contacts to be in demand in his field (pun intended). Not only was he a great, winning player, but he also took a stand for what he believed was an unfair labor situation and came up with a bold and creative way to help solve it. The pressure of the cause – which included 4 – 5 death threats per day according to Cardinal teammate Bob Gibson – effectively ended his career. After sitting out the entire 1970 season he reported to the Washington Senators, but was by then done with baseball and retired after only 13 games. This decision ran contrary to baseball’s reserve clause (part of the standard contract indicating that players’ rights were retained by the team) and modern free agency was born.įlood sacrificed tremendously for his stand. Not quite four years later, an arbitrator ruled that since Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally pitched without a contract for the season they were free to sign with any team. So Flood sued and the case went all the way to the Supreme Court on March 20, 1972. Kuhn refused wanting to keep costs down by restricting players’ movement between teams. So instead, Flood challenged baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn to make him a free agent (copy of Flood’s letter below). Flood didn’t want to go due to that team’s poor record, antiquated stadium, and (what he thought) were negative and racist fans saying, “I didn't think that I was going to report to Philadelphia, mainly because I didn't want to pick up twelve years of my life and move to another city." The Cardinals traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies following the 1969 season.
#CURT FLOOD FREE POSSIBLE OTHER SERIES#
293 and he helped win the World Series with the St. However, Flood won the war since his fight paved the way for modern free agency in baseball.įlood was a great player winning seven straight gold gloves in center field – he once went a year and half (226 games) without making an error. Supreme Court (Justice Lewis Powell eliminated himself due to a potential conflict of interest). That is, he lost his case against Major League Baseball by a 5-3 vote in the U.S. Forty-four years ago Curt Flood lost a battle.
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