Curt Flood

On this date in 1972, the United State Supreme Court rules against Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood, who sued Major League Baseball over the reserve clause after being traded to the Phillies. The ruling upholds baseball anti-trust exemption which was originally granted in 1922.

"I am a human being. I am not a piece of property. I am not a consignment of goods."

Curt Flood

On this date in 1970, Curt Flood files a lawsuit against MLB challenging the reserve clause which binds players to teams perpetually. Flood had been traded by the Cardinals to the Phillies on 10-7-69 but refused to report to the Phillies.

"I am a human being. I am not a piece of property. I am not a consignment of goods."

Vada Pinson

On this date in 1995, Vada Pinson passed away at age 57.

"I never saw a man so clean. He often took five or six showers a day." - Reds teammate, Brooks Lawrence

"Vada was as neat as a pin. He shined his shoes between innings." - Curt Flood 

Curt Flood

On this date in 1969, the Cardinals trade Curt Flood to the Phillies. Flood refuses to report to the Phillies and takes MLB to court over the reserve clause which binds a player perpetually to one team.

"Baseball was socially relevant and so was my rebellion against it."

Curt Flood

On this date in 1972, the United States Supreme Court rules against Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood, who sued Major League Baseball over the reserve clause after being traded to the Phillies. The ruling upholds baseball's antitrust exemption which was originally granted in 1922.

"I presume you're not finding this as easy as getting up to bat." - lower court judge Irving Cooper to Flood

Curt Flood

On this date in 1970, Curt Flood files a lawsuit challenging Major League Baseball's reserve clause which binds players to teams after refusing a trade from the Cardinals to the Phillies.

"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."

Bob Gibson

On this date in 1981, Bob Gibson is elected to the Hall of Fame.

 "Maybe this season, Curt Flood and I will finally catch up with THE OTHER GUY. We been after him a long time. He's the one they talk about when you walk into a restaurant and they say, 'Mr. Gibson, Mr. Flood, it would be perfectly all right with me if you ate in this restaurant, but I don't make the rules, THE OTHER GUY does.'"

Curt Flood

On this date in 1969, the Cardinals trade Curt Flood to the Phillies in a deal involving Richie Allen. Flood will refuse to report to the Phillies and will take MLB to court over the reserve clause that binds a player perpetually to one team.

"I am pleased that God made my skin black, but I wish he had made it thicker."

Curt Flood

On this date in 1972, the United States Supreme Court rules against former Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood who sued Major League Baseball over the reserve clause after being traded to the Phillies.

"Baseball regards us as sheep."

Curt Flood

On this date in 1970, Curt Flood files a lawsuit challenging the Reserve Clause which binds major league players to teams perpetually. Flood had been traded from the Cardinals to the Phillies on October 7, 1969 but refused to report.

"I am a human being. I am not a piece of property. I am not a consignment of goods."

Curt Flood

On this date in 1969, the Cardinals trade Curt Flood to the Phillies. Flood refuses to report to the Phillies and takes MLB to court over the reserve clause which binds a player perpetually to one team.

"Baseball was socially relevant and so was my rebellion against it."

Curt Flood

On this date in 1972, the United States Supreme Court rules against Curt Flood who sued Major League Baseball over the reserve clause after being traded to the Phillies.

"Baseball regards us as sheep."

Curt Flood

On this date in 1971, Curt Flood leaves the Washington Senators after 13 games and departs for Denmark ending his playing career.

"Baseball was socially relevant, and so was my rebellion against it."

Curt Flood

On this date in 1970, Curt Flood files a lawsuit challenging Major League Baseball's reserve clause which binds players to teams, after refusing a trade from the Cardinals to the Phillies.

"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."