Sports Free Agency ... Thanks To Curt Flood

The month of February is Black History Month and it's also when Major League Baseball teams begin spring training with the arrival of pitchers and catchers. I think every major league professional athlete, sports agent, and franchise owes a debt of gratitude to the late MLB (Major League Baseball) player Curt Flood.

This African-American's legacy is every bit as important as trailblazers Jack Johnson, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Bill Russell and Frank Robinson. Unfortunately, his memory usually gets a corner footnote during Black History Month and sports history.

Free Agency Catalyst

Curt Food was the reason free agency came into existence for the four major professional sports leagues in the U.S.; Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), and the National Hockey League (NHL). The term "Major League" is usually limited to team sports.

Changed Sports History...

His fight was for personal reasons. However, the eventual outcome set the stage for unprecedented wealth among athletes and changed lives and destinies; individually and for major league franchises.

Who Was Curt Flood

Curt Flood was signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1956 and traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1958. The centerfielder went on to have a productive career with the Cards, collecting seven consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1963 -1969; a major contributor for three pennants and two World Series rings; and was a three-time All-Star. He had a career average of .293 and for several years co-captained the team with Tim McCarver; quite an honor considering those teams also had two African-American future Hall of Famers, Bob Gibson and Lou Brock. Oh yeah, there was one other history making African-American on the team with seven Gold Gloves, first baseman Bill White; he would go on to do play-by-play for the Yankees and later became President of the American League. Whoops, I started to sidetrack myself ... back to Curt Flood

Exceptional Player

As you can see, Flood was not your average ballplayer, but you would not know it based on the lack of ink in the sports history books. After bitter contract negotiations and a subpar season, he was traded, during the off-season in 1969, to the Philadelphia Phillies. However, Curt Flood refused to accept the trade, referring to it as slavery; despite promises from Philadelphia that his $90,000 salary would be increased to $100,000 if joined the team.

Baseball's Free Agency Creation Story

Flood sent a letter to Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn which stated,

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. 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 sovereign States.

It is my desire to play baseball in 1970, and I am capable of playing. 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 decisions. 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."

Sincerely Yours,
Curt Flood.

The Commissioner did not grant Flood his wish. He stood firm on his ruling and based it on The Supreme Court's 1920s decision to exempt Major League Baseball from antitrust laws. Keep in mind that the Commissioner of MLB is hired by the owners.

Not only did Flood not go to Philadelphia, he sued baseball over the reserve clause. Simply put, the clause said a player was team property and the only way a player could leave was if they were traded, released, or if he chose to retire. In other words, players were bound for life to one team. At the time, all professional major sports teams operated in this fashion.

Tough Times

It was a difficult time for Flood; none of his fellow players displayed support and only two former players stood by him -- Jackie Robinson and Hank Greenberg. To be fair, the players were probably fearful of retaliation by the owners. The righting of wrongs can be costly for those on the frontline. The Federal Court ruled against him in 1970. Flood was signed by the Washington Senators but quit after only two months into the season. Apparently the one-year layoff and stress of the court case had affected his skills.

Miller Time...

The first head of the new Players Union, Marvin Miller explained it best, "Yes, you're an American and have the right to seek employment anywhere you would like, but this does not apply to baseball players."

Miller warned Flood what it would do to his career regardless of whether he won or lost his appeal case at the Supreme Court.

You Win ... But

On the appeal in 1972, The Supreme Court said, in a 5-3 decision against, that yes, he should have a right to be a free agent, but that baseball's antitrust exemption could only be removed by an Act of Congress and free agency should be attained through collective bargaining. Flood lost, but won the freedom of choice for future athletes through binding arbitration on grievances.

The Financial 'Flood' Gates Open

Four years later in 1976, MLB pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally agreed to play one season for teams without a contract and an arbitrator ruled them as free agents. Thus, free agency was born in baseball and spread to all the major professional sports. By the way, shortly after his ruling, the owners fired arbitrator Pete Seitz.

Major Team Sport History Changed Forever

Players and coaches in all sports owe a debt of gratitude to Curt Food for increased salaries and freedom of movement. Professional sports became recognized for what it is, a business. Indirectly, Flood made it possible for Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretsky, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Magic Johnson to become involved in team ownership; gave franchises a chance to win overnight; and players got the opportunity to chase unprecedented wealth. Every athlete on the roster of any of the four major professional sports teams owes Flood a tip of the hat and more.

Man of Distinction

Flood was given the NAACP Jackie Robinson Award for his contributions to black Athletes. He's received more recognition over the years, but never in what I would call a significant way. He passed away at the age of 59 in 1997.