Arbitrator Peter Seitz rules in favors of Cy Young Award winner Catfish Hunter making him an unrestricted free agent.

Free Agency
 

 

On ,December 15 1974 —  Oakland A’s pitching star and Cy Young Award winner Catfish Hunter is declared a free agent. Arbitrator Peter Seitz rules that A’s owner Charlie Finley committed a breach of contract by failing to make a payment to Hunter’s life insurance fund. The four-time 20-game winner, who helped Oakland to World Championships in 1972, 1973 and 1974, will sign a five-year contract worth a record $3.75 million with the New York Yankees. The decision, will usher in a new era in the owners’ relationship with their players.

 

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