You may not be familiar with his name, but Curt Flood was one of the most influential baseball players of all time. His defiance of Major League Baseball’s reserve clause led to the advent of free agency — a pivotal moment, not just in the MLB, but in all professional sports.

 

What You Need To Know

• Curt Flood was one of the most influential baseball players of all time

• Despite his impact, Flood has gone largely unrecognized for his efforts

• His daughter, Shelly Flood, is fighting to get her father into the Baseball Hall of Fame

• In 1970, Flood sued Major League Baseball for the right to negotiate his own contract