[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

TRIBUTE TO CURT FLOOD

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HON. WILLIAM (BILL) CLAY

of missouri

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, March 5, 1997

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize and pay tribute to
my friend and hero, former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood,
who died on January 20, 1997.
In addition to this status as professional baseball player, Curt will
be remembered as the man responsible for bringing collective bargaining
to professional baseball. He took his case of free-agency all the way
to the U.S. Supreme Court. In his renowned letter to former baseball
commissioner Bowie Kuhn, Curt Flood eloquently articulated his well-
founded reasons and encouraged future professional players to fight
diligently for their rights.
Curt Flood was a great humanitarian. He devoted his time and
resources to numerous philanthropic causes. On my desk in my
congressional office, there sits an award, an old bronzed shoe, from
Aunts and Uncles, and organization which Curt Flood helped fund to
provide shoes to needy children in the St. Louis area. Each time I look
at that shoe, I am reminded of what a great man Curt Flood was.
I remember as if it were yesterday instead of 1961 that Curt, my
cousin Arthur, and I spent several days and nights painting caricatures
on the walls and ceiling of my Glow Worm cocktail lounge.
There are times when we forget the wonderful contributions that
professional athletes make to mankind. The spotlight can be so blinding
that we only remember their home runs, three-pointers, or touchdowns.
Very seldom do we remember them for the work they do outside of their
profession. That is why I submit to our colleagues Curt Flood's story
as reported in the January 23, 1997, St. Louis American newspaper and a
copy of his letter to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn regarding his free agency
status.

[From the St. Louis American, Jan. 23, 1997]

Champion of Principle--Former Cardinal Curt Flood Dead At 59

(By Alvin A. Reid)

Los Angeles--Curt Flood used his athletic talent to help
make the St. Louis Cardinals two-time world champions and
then used his conviction to change major league baseball.
Flood died of throat cancer on Monday in Los Angeles, two
days after his 59th birthday.
His dramatic stand against baseball's reserve clause ended
his tenure in St. Louis in 1970. However, before he moved to
Spain to further his budding artistic career, he had a
profound impact on the St. Louis community.
``Curt Flood and former St. Louis football Cardinal lineman
Ernie McMillan helped fund the Aunts & Uncles organization
and their mission was to see to it that all kids in the city
had good shoes,'' said Bennie Rodgers, American executive
editor. ``They would have the shoe give-a-way at Christmas
and Easter and give thousands of kids shoes, they would pay
for it.''
Rodgers said the shoe give-a-way became a weekly event and
was headquartered at the current location of the American
offices at 4144 Lindell Blvd.
When traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, Flood refused to
go. He petitioned to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn that the current
system was akin to slavery and that it violated antitrust
laws. The commissioner refused Flood's request for free
agency. He sat out of baseball in 1970 while legally battling
the ruling. He returned to baseball in 1971 as a member of
the Washington Senators, but lasted just 13 games. After one
game he found a black funeral wreath at his locker.
The commissioner refused Flood's case, which eventually
reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972 where he lost his
lawsuit. However, in 1975 an arbitrator granted free agency
to two players, and permanently diluted the reserve clause
and led to creation of the free-agent system still used
today.
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[From the St. Louis American, Jan. 23, 1997]

Curt Flood's Famous Letter, a Signature Document

(By Barry Cooper)

On the day that Martin Luther King was being honored, yet
another famous African-American passed on. Curt Flood, who
pioneered free agency by challenging baseball's long-standing
reserve clause in the early 1970's, died in Los Angeles Jan.
20 after a battle with throat cancer. He was 59.
Here's the famous letter Flood wrote to then baseball
commissioner Bowie Kuhn. That letter--and his subsequent
lawsuit--forced baseball to adopt what has now become free
agency.
December 24, 1969
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 sat out the 1970 season and took the case to court. A
deal was worked out in 1971 that sent him to the Washington
Senators, but he played only 33 games and retired. Later,
other players were able to take advantage of the free agency
that he had fought so hard for.

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