ST. LOUIS – The list of nominees to be considered for induction into Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame next year has been announced. However, one familiar name is not on the ballot: Cardinals legend Curt Flood.
Flood, who played 12 seasons with the Redbirds during the late 50s and 60s, was an outstanding centerfielder and a fan favorite.
When the Cardinals traded Flood to Philadelphia, he refused to go and filed a lawsuit against the commissioner of baseball and the MLB challenging the so-called reserve clause, which tied players to teams forever. The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
While Flood lost his legal battle, he paved the way for free agency and became one of the most influential athletes in history.
Now, there is a movement underway led by Flood’s family and fans to get him inducted into the Hall of Fame.