Curt Flood will sue Major League Baseball over the reserve clause

On December 29, 1969, the New York Times reports that former St. Louis Cardinals’ outfielder Curt Flood will sue Major League Baseball over the reserve clause, which perpetually binds players to their teams.

Flood had objected to being traded from the Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies without his consent. “I do not feel that I am a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective of my wishes.” – CURT FLOOD,  responding to being traded to Philadelphia. In a letter to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, Curt Flood states his refusal to report to the Phillies after being traded by the Cardinals, citing he is not a piece of property to be sold. 

The MLB Players Association announces support for the outfielder’s suit against baseball and agrees to pay the legal fees for the case. The Cardinals’ outfielder’s case, which will ultimately be appealed unsuccessfully in the U.S. Supreme Court, will pave the way for the players to overturn baseball’s reserve clause in their attempt to gain free agency.

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