Curt Flood Writes His Letter to the Commissioner

On December 24, 1969, Curt Flood sent a 128-word letter to Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn that would eventually help dismantle the reserve clause and reshape the economics of professional sports. "After twelve years in the Major Leagues," Flood wrote, "I do not feel that I am a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective of my wishes."

Flood had been traded from the Cardinals to the Phillies on October 7, along with Tim McCarver, Byron Browne, and Joe Hoerner. He refused to report. Flood was a three-time All-Star, a seven-time Gold Glove winner, and the best center fielder in the National League for most of the 1960s. He hit .293 over twelve seasons in St. Louis. He didn't want to play in Philadelphia, and more importantly, he didn't believe the team had the right to send him there without his consent.

The Players Association, led by Marvin Miller, voted unanimously to back Flood's challenge and pay his legal expenses. Kuhn denied the request. On January 16, 1970, Flood filed a lawsuit against Kuhn and Major League Baseball, alleging violations of federal antitrust law.

Flood lost his case at every level, including the Supreme Court in 1972. He sat out the 1970 season, attempted a brief comeback with the Senators in 1971, and retired. The personal cost was enormous. He sacrificed his career and endured public hostility for a principle that most players at the time were unwilling to test.

Free agency arrived four years after the Supreme Court ruling, through the Messersmith-McNally arbitration. Flood didn't benefit from it. But the players who did recognized what he had started.