Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site floyd.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!decvax!harpo!gummo!whuxlb!floyd!6227jdt From: 6227jdt@floyd.UUCP (Joe Twicken) Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball Subject: Curt Flood Message-ID: <1864@floyd.UUCP> Date: Thu, 28-Jul-83 11:03:22 EDT Article-I.D.: floyd.1864 Posted: Thu Jul 28 11:03:22 1983 Date-Received: Fri, 29-Jul-83 02:21:23 EDT Organization: Bell Labs, Whippany, NJ Lines: 13 One contributor claims that free-agency began with Catfish Hunter, while another informs us that it began with Andy Messersmith. I am only 23 but vaguely remember Curt Flood of the St. Louis Cardinals. It seems to me that he challenged that ballplayers were not the "property" of baseball clubs and should be free to negotiate with any and all teams. Though he was not the first free agent (it my well have been Messersmith), can Curt Flood be regarded as the "Father of Free Agency"? Joseph Twicken Bell Labs Whippany, NJ