Brad Snyder talks about Curt Flood & the fight for Free Agency

Brad Snyder, Professor of Law at Georgetown and Author of "A
Well-Paid Slave" visits BaseballBiz and shares his story about
Curt Flood and his legal battles to fight for player's rights for
some control over their careers.


Career of Curt Flood began with Reds in 1956

First trade to St. Louis Cardinals 

7x Golden Glove player

6x MVP

Curt Flood cerebral man, civil rights activist

Oakland – diverse early days of his baseball journey

Racism in Reds minor leagues 

1961 integrated spring training in St Petersburg

Curt works with Jackie Robinson, Medgar Evans for Civil
Rights in Mississippi

Shotgun Threats against Curt and his family 

Cincinnati All Black outfield would not stand and Curt was
traded to Cardinals

Philadelphia trade – black players faced a lot of racism

Curt wanted to control his own path after playing 12
years 

How would Social Media have allowed Curt to control the
narrative look to LeBron James and how he has controlled his
message through Social Media?

Curt challenged the trade with the December 24 letter to
Bowie Kuhn

Cosell interview 

Backing of MLBPA Players Representatives including Roberto
Clemente & Reggie Jackson

Marvin Miller would have selected different counsel for Curt

The Reserve Clause – a reserve system of perpetual ownership
of the sport. An illegal monopoly.

Anti-Trust Exemption – 1922, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes
gave baseball a pass

13th Amendment was part of the question

100 years later the decision stands “Stare Decisis” rely on
past decisions even if they are wrong.

Supreme Court wants to kick baseball problem back to Congress

NCAA recent challenge in Supreme Court – One Justice sites
Flood v Kuhn as ridiculous

Justices’ Baseball Fandom gets in the way of justice for
Flood

Blackmun writes an ode to baseball in his Supreme Court
opinion. 

Judges want to show their fandom can get in the way of the
law

Curt Flood lost in Supreme Court

Flood’s efforts opened doors for change and empowered players
beginning with Grievance Arbitration

Curt Flood 10 & 5 rule allows qualified players to veto
any trade 

Marvin Miller kept Curt Flood’s efforts top of mind reminding
young players of how they enjoyed the fruits of his efforts

Curt’s life rises later life with personal happiness with
Judy Pace and recognition

Ken Burns Baseball documentary with Curt Flood celebrated at
the White House with President Clinton

Gerrit Cole gave credit to Curt Flood as he signed his
contract with the Yankees.

Cole’s book report on Flood

Curt led the way in fighting for a cause as seen with Pat
Tillman, Colin Kaepernick,

Jackie Robinson was the Guardian Angel for Curt Flood

Today sports player like LeBron James have the empowerment to
make 

Floods exclusion in Hall of Fame

Union needs to educate the players on their history

Recognition with a Curt Flood Day

Democratic Justice Book about the Supreme Court history and
Justice Felix Frankfurter

Don’t look to the Supreme Court to solve all of your problems



BaseballBiz is also on iheartradio, Stitcher, Spotify, Apple
& Google podcasts 
You can reach Mark @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter & Brandon
@SportsBlitzPod 
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"