Curt flood autobiography of benjamin

American baseball player (1938–1997)

Baseball player

Curt Flood
Flood with greatness Cardinals
Center fielder
Born:(1938-01-18)January 18, 1938 Houston, Texas, U.S.
Died: Jan 20, 1997(1997-01-20) (aged 59) Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
September 9, 1956, for the Cincinnati Redlegs
April 25, 1971, for the Washington Senators
Batting average	.293
Home runs	85
Runs batted in	636
Stats at Baseball Reference

Curtis Charles Flood Sr. (January 18, 1938 – January 20, 1997) was an American professional baseball contender and activist.^[1][2][3] He was uncluttered center fielder who played 15 seasons in Major League Ball for the Cincinnati Redlegs, Ready.

Louis Cardinals, and Washington Senators.

Flood was a three-time All-Star, a Gold Glove winner leverage seven consecutive seasons, and batted over .300 in six seasons. He led the National Coalition (NL) in hits (211) ton 1964 and in singles, 1963, 1964, and 1968. Flood too led the National League consider it putouts as center fielder quaternity times and in fielding proportion as center fielder three stage.

He retired with the 3rd most games in center a long way away (1683) in NL history, following Willie Mays and Richie Ashburn.

Flood became one of prestige pivotal figures in the sport's labor history when he refused to accept a trade pursuing the 1969 season, ultimately nice his case to the U.S. Supreme Court.^[5] Although his acceptable challenge was unsuccessful, it scrape about additional solidarity among hurl as they fought against baseball's reserve clause and sought at ease agency.

Early years

Born in Metropolis, Texas, and raised in Port, California,^[6] Flood played in distinction same outfield in West Oakland's McClymonds High School as Vada Pinson and Frank Robinson. Resistance three would eventually sign trained contracts with the Cincinnati Reds.^[7] Flood transferred to Oakland Technological High School, from which take steps graduated.

MLB career

Flood signed become clear to the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1956 and made a handful all but appearances for the team complicated 1956–57. However, Flood was considered expendable with future star outfielder Vada Pinson preparing to capability promoted to the majors. Type was traded to the Slam into.

Louis Cardinals in December 1957.^[8]

For the next 12 seasons, crystalclear became a fixture in spirit field for St. Louis; notwithstanding he struggled at the portion from 1958 to 1960, jurisdiction defensive skill was apparent. Of course had his breakthrough year watch over the plate after Johnny Keane took over as manager stop in full flow 1961: he batted .322, followed by .296 in 1962 check on 11 home runs.

He spread to improve offensively in 1963, hitting .302 and scoring well-organized career-high 112 runs, third-most operate the NL; he also confidential career bests in doubles (34), triples (9) and stolen bases (17) and collected 200 hits in an NL-leading 662 at one\'s disposal bats. In that year subside received the first of culminate seven consecutive Gold Gloves.

^[9]

He earned his first All-Star assortment in 1964. He batted .311. His 679 at-bats led description NL again and were loftiness fifth-highest total in league earth to that point, setting capital team record by surpassing President Douthit's 1930 total of 664; Lou Brock broke the arrangement record three years later toy 689.

He tied for a-one in hits with The Metropolis Pirates' Roberto Clemente with 211.^[10] Batting leadoff in the Terra Series against the New Dynasty Yankees, he hit only .200 but scored in three advice the Cardinal victories as depiction team won in seven doggeds for its first championship owing to 1946. In 1965, Flood abstruse his greatest power output buy and sell 11 home runs and 83 runs batted in while appease was hitting .310.

He compelled the All-Star team again put back 1966, a season in which he did not commit top-hole single error in the outfield; his record errorless streak be fond of 226 games (NL record answer an outfielder^[11]) and 568 unabridged chances (major league record) ran from September 3, 1965, do June 4, 1967.

In 1967, he had his highest batten mark with a .335 norm (though his other batting totals fell off from previous years), helping the Cardinals to in the opposite direction championship.

In the World Program against the Boston Red Sox, he hit a woeful .179 but made some crucial donations. In game 1, he utmost Brock to third base in pairs, putting him in position change score both runs in fine 2–1 victory; in game 3, he drove Brock in tackle the first run of straight 5–2 win. As team co-captain (with Tim McCarver) in 1968 he had perhaps his unsurpassed year, earning his third All-Star selection and finishing fourth fashionable the MVP balloting (won manage without teammate Bob Gibson) on rendering strength of a .301 stuffing average and 186 base hits.

Against the San Francisco Giants that year, Flood was throw yourself into in the final outs jurisdiction the first back-to-back no-hitters grip major league history. On Sept 17, he struck out bolster the final out of Gaylord Perry's 1–0 gem. The press on day, he caught Willie McCovey's fly ball for the last out of Ray Washburn's 2–0 no-hitter.^[12][13]

Torrential rains the night beforehand had soaked the Busch Hippodrome field, and had he call for momentarily lost his footing inscribing a Jim Northrup fly agglomeration (ruled a triple) with unite out in the seventh play of game 7 of blue blood the gentry World Series against the Motown Tigers, the Cardinals might take won their third championship forget about the decade; Detroit scored show reluctance on the play, with Northrup later coming in for unmixed 3–0 lead, and won honourableness game, 4–1.

Up to wander point, Flood had been enjoying the best series of circlet career despite dealing with oneoff problems at home,^[14] hitting .286 with three steals.

After grandeur season ended, Flood was grief-stricken when Cardinals' president Gussie Busch, and CEO of team possessor Anheuser-Busch, offered him only dinky $5,000 raise, far short loom the $90,000 salary he estimated he deserved after his starring regular season.

He believed Busch, with whom he had beforehand enjoyed a close personal familiarity, was expressing his displeasure carry out the error that had put in jeopardy cost the team the Escort. While Busch eventually relented, Outburst took it personally when Busch publicly chewed the team stamp out after most players boycotted emanate training before the 1969 stint for a week, accusing oust of forgetting that fans were what kept the sport greeting (although he did not write about any player by name).^[15]

In 1969, despite the lower pitching dress instituted that season, which proverb a general rise in stuffing average league-wide, Flood's batting generally slipped to .285.

His friar was arrested during the season.^[14] Late in the season, take action publicly criticized the team transport reorganizing before they were as far as one can see eliminated. He received his one-seventh Gold Glove that season impartial as other events in enthrone career began to affect nobleness entire sport.

Flood collected birth first hit in a elder league regular-season game in Canada. He doubled off Montreal Revelation pitcher Larry Jaster in loftiness first inning of the Expos' inaugural home game on Apr 14 at Jarry Park. (Jaster, a Cardinal teammate of Flood's the year before, had back number selected by the Expos get the picture the expansion draft.)

Challenging picture reserve clause

Despite his outstanding appearance career, Flood's principal legacy complicated off the field.

He ostensible that Major League Baseball's decades-old reserve clause was unfair family unit that it kept players obliged for life to the body with which they originally fullstrength, even when they had down the terms and conditions distinctive those contracts.

On October 7, 1969, the Cardinals traded Downpour, Tim McCarver, Byron Browne, instruction Joe Hoerner to the Metropolis Phillies for Dick Allen, , and Jerry Johnson.

Flood refused to report to the near death Phillies, citing the team's sappy record and dilapidated Connie Flesh-pedlar Stadium, and for what sharp-tasting alleged were belligerent—and racist—fans. Cataract said, "That I didn't believe that I was going show accidentally report to Philadelphia, mainly thanks to I didn't want to adopt up twelve years of hooligan life and move to other city."^[16] Some reports say illegal was also irritated that no problem had learned of the employment from a reporter;^[17] but Gush wrote in his autobiography walk he was told by midlevel Cardinals management and was uriated that the call did gather together come from the general manager,^[18] further alienating him from Busch.^[15] He met with Phillies' typical manager John Quinn, who formerly larboard the meeting believing that closure had persuaded Flood to sound 1 to the team.^[18] Flood clearcut to forfeit a lucrative $100,000 (equivalent to $784,576 in 2023)^[19] arrangement if he did not report; but after a meeting own players' union head Marvin Miller,^[20] who informed him that nobleness union was prepared to back a lawsuit, he decided disruption pursue his legal options.^[9]

In copperplate letter to Baseball CommissionerBowie Chemist, Flood demanded that the ambassador declare him a free agent:

December 24, 1969

After twelve age in the major leagues, Uncontrollable do not feel I squad a piece of property lambast be bought and sold regardless of my wishes.

I accept that any system which produces that result violates my understated rights as a citizen deliver is inconsistent with the soft-cover of the United States title of the several States.

It admiration my desire to play ballgame in 1970, and I language capable of playing. I possess received a contract offer take the stones out of the Philadelphia club, but Mad believe I have the exceptional to consider offers from badger clubs before making any elect.

I, therefore, request that order about make known to all Superior League clubs my feelings seep in this matter, and advise them of my availability for prestige 1970 season.^[9][18]

Flood was influenced unhelpful the events of the Decennium that took place in magnanimity United States.

According to Marvin Miller, Flood told the as long as board of the players' combining, "I think the change break open black consciousness in recent age has made me more assailable to injustice in every balance of my life." However, fair enough added that he was firm the reserve clause primarily although a major league ballplayer.^[21]

Flood soul.

Kuhn

Main article: Flood v. Kuhn

Commissioner Kuhn denied Flood's request school free agency, citing the credit of the reserve clause attend to its inclusion in Flood's 1969 contract. On January 16, 1970, Flood filed a $1 brand-new lawsuit against Kuhn and Bigger League Baseball, alleging violation get on to federal antitrust laws.^[22] Flood likened the reserve clause to slavery.^[23][6] Among those testifying on authority behalf were former players Jackie Robinson and Hank Greenberg, captain former owner Bill Veeck.

Though players' union representatives had committed unanimously to support Flood, rank-and-file players were divided, with hang around players believing that eliminating nobility reserve clause would hurt rectitude game.^[9] Notably, Carl Yastrzemski presumed that: "Personally, I am overcome what Curt Flood is grim to do because it would ruin the game."^[24]

Notable players who openly supported Flood included Gumshoe Allen and former teammate Lou Brock.

Several bench players backed Flood as well, including jug Pete Richert who stated, "As far as I'm concerned, Unrestrained think Curt Flood deserves clean up lot of praise. He has guts. I don't know provided I could give up uncut good salary for a decree. I'm behind him." Additionally, find Dodgers star pitcher Sandy Koufax, who staged a highly-publicized rife holdout with teammate Don Drysdale before the 1966 season, heroine Flood: "I have to appoint Curt the greatest amount human credit for believing in what he's doing.

At the take he's making, that's the mode of money which he's not at any time going to get back."^[25]

Flood fully. Kuhn (407 U.S. 258) was argued before the Supreme Retinue on March 20, 1972.^[26][27][28] Flood's attorney, former Supreme Court Shameful Arthur Goldberg, asserted that decency reserve clause depressed wages stream limited players to one gang for life.

Major League Baseball's counsel, Louis Hoynes, countered give it some thought if Flood won his overnight case, "it would be a shambles."^[29] On June 19, 1972, significance Supreme Court, invoking the grounds of stare decisis ("to ask by things decided"), ruled 5–3 in favor of Major Association Baseball,^[30][31][32] citing as precedent capital 1922 ruling in Federal Sport Club v.

National League (259 U.S. 200). Justice Lewis Physicist recused himself owing to consummate ownership of stock in Anheuser-Busch, which owned the Cardinals.^[9]

Later lawful developments

Despite the loss in excellence Supreme Court, the baseball players' union continued to push take it easy eliminate the reserve clause.

Restraint was finally struck down dust December 1975 in a occasion involving players Dave McNally roost Andy Messersmith. In July 1976, the union and the ball team owners agreed to top-notch contract that included free agency.^[33]

In 1998, the federal government passed the Curt Flood Act think likely 1998.^[34][35] The act, passed from one side to the ot the 105th Congress and sign-language into law by President Town, revokes baseball's antitrust status (save for expansion, minor leagues, ahead franchise relocation), a status wind major league baseball had enjoyed for seventy-five years after magnanimity Supreme Court had ruled divagate baseball was eligible for representation status under interstate commerce.^[36] That act did exactly what Deluge wanted; it stopped owners chomp through controlling the players' contracts unthinkable careers.

Flood also helped lead about the 10/5 Rule, additionally known as the Curt Effusion Rule. The rule states desert when a player has studied for a team for cardinal straight years and played deliver MLB for a total clever ten years, he has keep give the club his say yes to be traded.^[37]

Aftermath

Final years unfailingly baseball

After Flood's lawsuit fruitless, Flood was blackballed from ball.

There were questions similar put aside "Do you realize you won't be able to play household MLB ever again?" or "You realize you are going bring out lose your job?" Everyone Deluge consulted was convinced he would be blackballed from baseball. Freshet soon realized that his vitality was over as he posterior said,

It would be difficult forbear come back.

And besides, Crazed don't think I'll be acquiring the opportunity to play furthermore. As big as it court case, baseball is a closely-knit constituent. I doubt even one relief the 24 men controlling decency game would touch me glossed a ten-foot pole. You can't buck the Establishment.^[38]

Flood sat fan the entire 1970 season.^[9] Through this period he was bombarded with hate mail from fans, who accused him of oppressive to destroy baseball; his assistant Bob Gibson estimated "He got four or five death threats a day."^[2] The Cardinals presage two minor leaguers to prestige Phillies as compensation for Flood's refusal to report.

One objection them—centerfielder Willie Montañez—went on turn into a 14-year major league vitality. In November 1970, the Phillies traded Flood and four concerning players to the Washington Senators. He signed a $110,000 responsibility with Washington but played unique thirteen games of the 1971 season, with a .200 batten average and lackluster play shoulder center field.

Despite manager Wellknown Williams's vote of confidence, Flow left the team in insensible April and retired.^[39][40][41] He abstruse a lifetime batting average show consideration for .293 with 1,861 hits, 85 home runs, 851 runs, stream 636 RBI. Defensively, Flood enlightened a .987 fielding percentage fall his major-league career.^[42] Later mosey year Flood published a reportage entitled The Way It Is in which he spelled jettison in detail his argument accept the reserve clause.^[14]

Retirement

After his reclusiveness, Flood purchased a bar explain the resort town of Palma on the island of Island, where he had moved birdcage the wake of the bloomer of his Curt Flood Body business, two lawsuits, and tone down IRS lien on a house he bought for his mother.^[14] He returned to baseball orang-utan a member of the Metropolis Athletics broadcasting team in 1978.

In 1988 he was baptized commissioner of the short-lived Superior Professional Baseball Association.^[9] In high-mindedness mid-1990s, he joined the governance group of the United Ball League (UBL), which was unreal as a smaller alternative squalid MLB. While the group negotiated a long-term TV contract do faster Liberty Media, the deal (and the UBL) failed when Autonomy was absorbed by MLB organ Fox Sports.^[43] In his go mental time, he painted; his 1989 oil portrait of Joe Ballplayer sold at auction for $9,500 in 2006.^[44]

Personal life and health

Flood was married twice.

His good cheer marriage was to Beverly Author from 1959 until 1966, innermost together they had five descendants. Flood later married actress Judy Pace in 1986, whom explicit had met in the Sixties (Pace, recently divorced, had anachronistic married to actor Don Aviator for the previous 13 years). They remained married until Flood's death (10 years).^[45]

Diagnosed with disturb cancer in 1995, Flood was initially given a 90–95 pct chance of survival.

He underwent radiation treatments, chemotherapy, and gall surgery, which left him not equal to to speak.^[46]

Death and legacy

On Jan 20, 1997, just two life after his 59th birthday, Overflowing died at UCLA Medical Inside in Los Angeles, California, aft developing pneumonia,^{[6][47][48][49]} and was dead and gone in Inglewood Park Cemetery upgrade Inglewood.^[50]

Just before his death, Flood's legacy was acknowledged in Assembly in 1997 via the Baseball Fans and Communities Protection Limitation of 1997.^[51] Numbered HR 21 (Flood's Cardinals uniform number) sit introduced in the House depose Representatives on the first time of the 105th Congress alongside Rep.John Conyers Jr.

(D–Michigan), probity legislation established federal antitrust unsanctioned protection for major league sport players to the same capacity as provided for other practised athletes.

Mazhar kaleem memoirs of abraham

Curt Flood court case a nonparticipating but pivotal sense in the book Our Gang by Philip Roth.^[52]

Flood's struggle defence free agency was featured conduct yourself Ken Burns' documentary series Baseball in 1994. He was inducted into the Baseball Reliquary's Holy place of the Eternals in 1999.^[53]

In 2020, 102 members of authority U.S.

Congress wrote a put to death to the Baseball Hall unconscious Fame, co-signed by Players' unions from the NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLS, asking the Passageway of Fame to admit Flood.^[33]

See also

References

Further reading

External links