A-Rod is No Curt Flood

If you polled most professional baseball players today many would recognize the name of Curt Flood, but I doubt most would know what he went through so that they could get their multi-million dollar contracts today. Based on his reaction to the pronouncement of arbitrator Frederic Horowitz's 162-game ban, it seems Alex Rodriguez is trying to put himself on the same level as Curt Flood.

A-Rod was clearly thinking of all ball players, present and future, when he stated,

No player should have to go through what I have been dealing with, and I am exhausting all options to ensure not only that I get justice, but that players’ contracts and rights are protected through the next round of bargaining, and that the MLB investigation and arbitration process cannot be used against others in the future the way it is currently being used to unjustly punish me.

Alex Rodriguez, humanitarian. What a load of...nonsense. There is only one person that A-Rod cares about and that's the guy he was staring at in the mirror in the infamous 2009 Details magazine spread.

Flood was a star for the St. Louis Cardinals for 12 seasons, but in October 1969 the team dealt him, Tim McCarver and two others to the Philadelphia Phillies for three players, including Dick Allen and Cookie Rojas. Flood wanted no part of it and challenged baseball's reserve clause in a letter written to then commissioner Bowie Kuhn.

Mr. Bowie K. Kuhn
Commissioner of Baseball
680 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10019

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 sovereign 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 decisions. 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.

Sincerely Yours, Curt Flood.

Flood was still just 31-years old at the time the letter was sent to Kuhn. As expected, the commissioner denied the request, but Flood wasn't finished. He sued Kuhn and Major League Baseball, stating that the reserve clause was akin to slavery and indentured servitude and violated anti-trust laws.

The case went to the US Supreme Court where Flood's accusations were denied in 1972 by a 5-3 vote. Former players like Jackie Robinson testified in Flood's behalf, but no active players would take the risk of participating in the hearings.

After sitting out the 1970 season, Flood was dealt by the Phillies to the Washington Senators, but he retired after just 13 games played in the 1971 season. Flood's fight went on, however, and in 1974 an arbitrator eliminated the reserve clause and opened the doors for free agency.

Curt Flood tragically died of pneummonia in 1997 at the young age of 59, two years after he battled throat cancer.

No Alex Rodriguez, you are no Curt Flood.

Humble Goose Enters Hall

Sunday afternoon we tuned into ESPN Classic in time to catch the baseball Hall of Fame inductions ceremonies. Actually we had to go back and forth to other things for a while while Bowie Kuhn's son droned on about his Dad. No offense, son of Bowie, but your Dad sucked as Commissioner.

A teary eyed Goose Gossage gave a very good and humble speech about his entrance to the shrine. He remembered teammates, including those gone, Thurman, Catfish, Bobby Ray...We were hoping they would show a quick shot of Reggie Jackson when Goose said that Dick Allen was the greatest player he ever played with. Goose credited Allen with taking him under his wing and helping him to adjust to life in the bigs. Funny, no one has ever said that about Reggie. Goose also did a little stumping for George Steinbrenner.

Great job too by Dick Williams, who we always felt was one of the best managers in baseball. Williams was quick to point out that he couldn't have made it as a manager in today's game. In his time, the manager was in control, there were no discussions, no questioning anything by the players. He certainly had success in every place he managed, the Impossible Dream season in Boston in '67, championships in Oakland, a pennant in San Diego, and a vastly improved Montreal Expos team in the late '70s.

We also remember when he nearly became Yankees manager, which meant we might never of had Billy Ball, but Charlie Finley wanted compensation and Kuhn wasn't too keen on it. Then again, could you imagine Williams trying to get along with George Steinbrenner?

It seems absurd that Goose had to wait this long to get into the Hall and even more absurd that Williams had to wait even longer.

Humble Goose Enters Hall

Sunday afternoon we tuned into ESPN Classic in time to catch the baseball Hall of Fame inductions ceremonies. Actually we had to go back and forth to other things for a while while Bowie Kuhn's son droned on about his Dad. No offense, son of Bowie, but your Dad sucked as Commissioner.

A teary eyed Goose Gossage gave a very good and humble speech about his entrance to the shrine. He remembered teammates, including those gone, Thurman, Catfish, Bobby Ray...We were hoping they would show a quick shot of Reggie Jackson when Goose said that Dick Allen was the greatest player he ever played with. Goose credited Allen with taking him under his wing and helping him to adjust to life in the bigs. Funny, no one has ever said that about Reggie. Goose also did a little stumping for George Steinbrenner.

Great job too by Dick Williams, who we always felt was one of the best managers in baseball. Williams was quick to point out that he couldn't have made it as a manager in today's game. In his time, the manager was in control, there were no discussions, no questioning anything by the players. He certainly had success in every place he managed, the Impossible Dream season in Boston in '67, championships in Oakland, a pennant in San Diego, and a vastly improved Montreal Expos team in the late '70s.

We also remember when he nearly became Yankees manager, which meant we might never of had Billy Ball, but Charlie Finley wanted compensation and Kuhn wasn't too keen on it. Then again, could you imagine Williams trying to get along with George Steinbrenner?

It seems absurd that Goose had to wait this long to get into the Hall and even more absurd that Williams had to wait even longer.

Vets Tab 5 for Fame

The Veterans Committee has spoken, and 5 people have been selected to enter the Hall of Fame this summer. Managers Dick Williams (who nearly became a Yankees manager in the '70s), and Billy Southworth, commissioner Bowie Kuhn (oh, did I loathe him back in the day), and owners Walter O'Malley and Barney Dreyfuss.

Among those passed over were player's union head Marvin Miller, manager Billy Martin, ump Doug Harvey, and general manager Buzzy Bavasi.

Voting Summary:

Managers/Umpires Ballot results (by vote percentage): *Billy Southworth (81.3%), *Dick Williams (81.3%), Doug Harvey (68.8%), Whitey Herzog (68.8%), Danny Murtaugh (37.5%) and Hank O'Day (25%). Davey Johnson, Billy Martin, Gene Mauch and Cy Rigler each received fewer than three votes. (* earned election to the Hall of Fame)

Executives/Pioneers Ballot results (vote percentage): *Barney Dreyfuss (83%), *Bowie Kuhn (83%), *Walter O'Malley (75%), Ewing Kauffman (41.7%), John Fetzer (33.3%), Bob Howsam (25%) and Marvin Miller (25%). Buzzie Bavasi, John McHale and Gabe Paul each received fewer than three votes. (*earned election to the Hall of Fame)

Source

Vets Tab 5 for Fame

The Veterans Committee has spoken, and 5 people have been selected to enter the Hall of Fame this summer. Managers Dick Williams (who nearly became a Yankees manager in the '70s), and Billy Southworth, commissioner Bowie Kuhn (oh, did I loathe him back in the day), and owners Walter O'Malley and Barney Dreyfuss.

Among those passed over were player's union head Marvin Miller, manager Billy Martin, ump Doug Harvey, and general manager Buzzy Bavasi.

Voting Summary:

Managers/Umpires Ballot results (by vote percentage): *Billy Southworth (81.3%), *Dick Williams (81.3%), Doug Harvey (68.8%), Whitey Herzog (68.8%), Danny Murtaugh (37.5%) and Hank O'Day (25%). Davey Johnson, Billy Martin, Gene Mauch and Cy Rigler each received fewer than three votes. (* earned election to the Hall of Fame)

Executives/Pioneers Ballot results (vote percentage): *Barney Dreyfuss (83%), *Bowie Kuhn (83%), *Walter O'Malley (75%), Ewing Kauffman (41.7%), John Fetzer (33.3%), Bob Howsam (25%) and Marvin Miller (25%). Buzzie Bavasi, John McHale and Gabe Paul each received fewer than three votes. (*earned election to the Hall of Fame)

Source