![]() ![]() In 2019, Cole led the American League in ERA, strikeouts and colorful stories about the man he owes an unpayable professional debt. As John Buck would say, excuse my language, ‘Get your f-ing book reports ready, kids. “I hope everyone has that conversation about Curt Flood on the bus. “I just think it’s so important that players know the other sacrifices that players made in order to keep the integrity of the game where it is,” Cole said. So, on the occasion of signing of one of the richest contracts in baseball history, a white guy from Newport Beach, California, told anyone who would listen how much he admired a Black man from Oakland. 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.”įlood is not only a man Cole has come to admire but also a historic figure to whom he owes a debt of gratitude. “‘Tell me about Curt Flood! Why is he so important?’ “One of his favorite things was he would call you up to the front of the bus after a few pops, and he would get in your face, and he would ask you, ‘Who’s Curt Flood?’” Cole recalled of Buck. 18, 2019, shortly after signing his nine-year, $324 million contract to pitch for the New York Yankees, Gerrit Cole stood at a podium at Yankee Stadium and thanked Curt Flood.Ĭole told the assembled media at his introductory news conference that he first learned who Flood was as a rookie while riding the team bus with then- Pirates teammate John Buck. For the first time in the history of the sport, players can determine their fate after a given amount of time.Curt Flood fought for free agency, changed pro sports Unlike, Flood, however, Kanter feels safe in America, while Flood ended up feeling the need to flee the country.Ĭurt Flood was strong, however, and eventually pulled himself together in time to see the fruits of his labor pay of in 1976, when free agency finally came to MLB. Baltimore Orioles: How about a little love in MLB history for Jim Palmer?Įnes Kanter, current center for the New York Knicks, is currently considered a fugitive of his own home country of Turkey, all because he dared to challenge the establishment of his own country.MLB trade deadline: The 5 worst trade deadline deals in recent history.Sell at the MLB trade deadline? These teams didn’t and the move paid off.Chicago Cubs scoring 36 runs in two games? That’s nothing compared to this historic mark.Sticky fingers: The pine tar incident, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals and Gaylord Perry.Imagine not feeling welcome in your own home country? According to a piece by Allen Barra of The Atlantic, Flood’s teammate Bob Gibson estimated that Flood got “four or five death threats a day.” His case gained so much traction that it was eventually heard by the US Supreme Court… and lost.Īs a result, Curt Flood became baseball’s public enemy number one, and fans let him know it. In refusing to be traded, Curt flood became the most vocal player to oppose the reserve clause. ![]() At the time, baseball’s reserve clause basically made it so a player was the property of one particular team for life, no matter what his contract says. But more than that, Curt Flood was also the man behind free agency as we currently know it.ĭespite being one of the faces of baseball at the time, following the 1969 season, Curt Flood, an opponent of baseball’s reserve clause, refused to be traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. He was a 6x MVP finalist, a 3x All Star, and 7x Gold Glove Award winner. Louis Cardinals team that won two of three championships in the 1960’s. No! In many ways, Flood was the centerpiece of a St. What’s more, Curt Flood wasn’t just some sacrificial lamb, whose talent wasn’t quite good enough for the big leagues. A man who’s influence in American professional sports is felt to this very day. One such name that often gets left out the mix is Curt Flood. Flood played for the Cardinals from 1958-69. Louis Cardinal watches the flight of his ball as he follows through on his swing during a mid circa 1960’s Major League Baseball game. CIRCA 1960’s: Outfielder Curt Flood #21 of the St. ![]()
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