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Remembered primarily for his role in ushering in the free-agent era, Curt Flood was also an All Star, Gold Glover, and World Series champion.

Flood broke in with the Reds as an 18-year old in 1956. He played in just 8 combined games with Cincinnati in ’56 and ’57 before being traded to St. Louis for Marty Kutyna in a five-player deal. The Cardinals made the 20-year old their everyday centerfielder.

The centerfielder flourished in St. Louis, hitting his stride in 1961. From then until the end of the decade, Flood hit .302, averaging 177 hits and 25 doubles. In 1963 he earned the first of his seven consecutive Gold Glove Awards. Flood helped the Cardinals reach the World Series in ’64, ’67, and ’68, winning rings in his first two tries. In 1969, he recorded the first hit in an MLB regular season game in Canada.

When Flood retired, only Willie Mays and Richie Ashburn played more National League games in centerfield. The fine-fielding Flood led NL centerfielders in putouts four times and fielding percentage three times. The two-time World Series winner finished with 1,863 hits and a .294 average.

Despite a fine playing career, Flood is best remembered today for challenging baseball’s reserve clause. His story as an advocate is outlined below the next picture.

In the collection is this contract between Flood and Picture Pal. Flood has provided his autograph twice on this front side by writing his name in the agreement dated March 5, 1963. That season Flood earned the first of his seven-consecutive Gold Glove Awards.

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On October 7, 1969 the Cardinals traded Curt Flood to Philadelphia. The centerfielder refused to report to his new team. By doing so, he stood to lose $100,000.

Flood explained his actions in a Christmas Eve letter to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn a letter.

“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. 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.

“It is my desire to play baseball in 1970, and I am capable of playing. I have received a contract offer from the Philadelphia club, but I believe I have the right to consider offers from other clubs before making any decision. I, therefore, request that you make known to all Major League clubs my feelings in this matter, and advise them of my availability for the 1970 season.”

Kuhn denied Flood’s request for free-agency citing the reserve clause in every big league contract. Flood filed a $1M lawsuit against Kuhn and Major League Baseball, citing a violation of federal antitrust laws.

The case made its way to the US Supreme Court. On June 19, 1972 they ruled in favor of Kuhn and Baseball. Though the case didn’t immediately change the game, it emboldened the players’ union to eliminate the reserve clause. In December, 1975 the clause was struck down in a case involving Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally. Six months later the union and the owners forged an agreement that included free agency.

In 1998 the Curt Flood Act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. It did exactly what Flood pushed for – it severely limited baseball’s antitrust status and limited owners’ control over contracts and careers of the players.

Baseball now has the Curt Flood Rule, also called the 10/5 Rule. Players with a team for five consecutive seasons and in the league for a decade must give their consent to be traded.

Flood changed the game.

Shown here is the reverse of the contract between Flood and PicturePal. The centerfielder and player advocacy trailblazer signed it at the bottom.

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The trade of Curt Flood from the Cardinals to the Phillies for Dick Allen started a chain of events that changed baseball history. After a dozen years in St. Louis, Flood refused to report to Philadelphia. His stance was that baseball’s system violates the basic rights as an American citizen. Flood believed the system relegated players to a piece of property.

Flood sued baseball and its commissioner Bowie Kuhn. The case reached the US Supreme Court in 1972 when the justices ruled in favor of the status quo.

The players’ union seized the momentum. Late in 1975 the reserve clause was struck down in a union case brought on be Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally. By the middle of the following year the game welcomed free-agency.

Today the “Curt Flood Rule” is in affect. It gives trade veto power to players with ten years in the big leagues and five years with the same club.

The Flood-for-Allen trade is remembered today as the start of the modern era of players’ rights.

In the collection is this letter from Cardinals GM Bing Devine dated October 10, 1969 just three days after the historic deal.

“I am sure you know by now we have acquired Rich Allen from Philadelphia, who we feel will provide power we need in the line-up,” Devine writes. “However, let me assure you we will continue to look for ways to improve the ballclub for 1970.”

Devine was prophetic. In his only season in St. Louis Allen put up outstanding numbers. An all star in ’70, Allen slugged 34 homers and drove in 101 runs.

Allen was shipped out to Los Angeles after the season in exchange for 1969 Rookie of the Year Ted Sizemore and Bob Stinson.

At the time of the trade, Flood was a 31-year old centerfielder who won 7 straight Gold Gloves. He sat out the entire 1970 season then returned for 13 games in 1971. His baseball career and family life suffered greatly.

A hero to many, Flood made a momentous sacrifice for the betterment of the players.