This is why we again strongly urge the Historical Overview Committee and Golden Days Era Committee to recognize Curt Flood’s unprecedented courage and lasting effect on professional baseball by deservedly inducting him into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Flood exemplifies the American ideal: Standing up for what is right, regardless of the cost to oneself. Flood’s prominence in the Hall of Fame’s museum and extensive archives, we believe that his actions merit a higher form of recognition. The past year has shown us the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of people of color, especially when their contributions to society have been largely overlooked. Flood during a press conference in which Cole celebrated his new $324 million dollar contract with the Yankees: “I want everybody to know, because challenging the reserve clause was one of the first stepping stones to ultimately the system we have today, which I believe brings out the most competitive, you know, genuine competitiveness, that we have in baseball.” In December of 2019, MLB superstar Gerrit Cole praised Mr. Miller was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame for his work on behalf of players and the League, yet Mr. Miller are directly responsible for the current free agency system that MLB players enjoy today, Mr. Flood’s courageous act to not accept a trade, and to the efforts of Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Marvin Miller, the reserve clause was eventually terminated in December 1975. The law overrode parts of the 1922 Supreme Court ruling that exempted baseball from antitrust laws that applied to all other sports, creating a far more just system for subsequent MLB athletes. In 1998, Congress would unanimously pass the Curt Flood Act, which was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Flood paid a huge price both professionally and personally for this decision and was effectively black balled from the MLB after seven consecutive Golden Glove seasons. Flood, affirming the legality of the “reserve clause,” and professional baseball’s immunity from antitrust laws. In a 5-3 ruling, the Court sided with the MLB and against Mr. Flood’s request, so he filed a lawsuit against the MLB. 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.”Ĭommissioner Kuhn denied Mr. He wrote: “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. Flood demanded Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn declare him a free agent in a letter dated Christmas Eve 1969. At the time, players were still bound to a team for life by the so-called “reserve clause.” Simply put, a player was a team’s property. Flood refused to be traded, becoming the first player in MLB history to reject a trade. Louis Cardinals as a standout center fielder, Flood was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1969, without any consultation from Cardinals management. Flood into the Hall of Fame than during the 51st anniversary of his courageous court challenge to the reserve system, which helped transform professional sports.Īfter playing 12 seasons with the St. There would be no more fitting time to enshrine Mr. Flood’s courageous actions made Major League Baseball (MLB) what it is today by paving the way for free agency. Flood was a two-time World Series Champion, three-time All Star, and seven-time consecutive Golden Glove Award winner, but arguably his greatest contribution to professional baseball happened off the field. Flood’s legacy is more profound than many of his colleagues who are already enshrined at Cooperstown he sacrificed his own career so that future players would be afforded more rights and better compensation during the course of their careers. In your response to our letter dated February 27, 2020, former Hall of Fame President Tim Mead noted that it is extremely difficult to gain admission to the Hall of Fame only 1% of all players have earned this honor. We strongly believe that Curt Flood has earned his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Today, we again write to encourage the Historical Overview Committee to add Curt Flood’s name to the ballot of candidates that will be considered by the Golden Days Era Committee for admission to the Hall of Fame when the Committee reconvenes this December. We understand that as a result of uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Directors unanimously voted to postpone the work of the Golden Days Era Committee until 2021. Last year, over 100 Members of Congress wrote to you to express their strong support for Curt Flood’s nomination and induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Letter for Curt Flood’s Nomination and Induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame
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