Curt Flood

Nationality:

Biography: Flood was a baseball center fielder who played variously for the Cincinnati Redlegs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Senators. During this time he was an All-Star three times and won the Gold Glove for seven seasons in a row.

Outside of his success on field, Flood was also known for his refusing to accept a trade after the 1969 season; an effort in which he was ultimately unsuccessful, but which was an important moment for labor history in baseball.

After this, Flood thought his career was over, as during this period he was criticized strongly and even received death threats. While he returned for a single season with the Washington Senators, he would retire after this 1971 season.

Born: January 18, 1938
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, USA

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Capricorn

Died: January 20, 1997 (aged 59)
Cause of Death: Throat cancer

Historical Events

1964-08-16 St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Curt Flood gets 8 straight hits in a doubleheader split against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium
1967-06-04 Curt Flood's record 568 straight chances without an error ends (227 straight games)
1969-12-24 Curt Flood writes to baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn refusing to accept the Cardinals’ right to deal him and in favor of free agency
1970-01-16 Curt Flood files a civil lawsuit challenging baseball's reserve clause
1970-08-12 Curt Flood loses his $41 million antitrust suit against baseball
1971-04-07 Dismissal of Curt Flood's free agency suit against baseball is upheld by the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
1971-04-27 Curt Flood resigns Senators after 13 games & departs for Denmark
1972-06-18 US Supreme Court, 5-3, confirms lower court rulings in Curt Flood case, upholding baseball's exemption from antitrust laws

Biographies and Sources

Curt Flood’s suit started MLB free agency concept 50 years ago - Chicago Daily Law Bulletin