On February 27, Congressional lawmakers gathered in Washington D.C. to advocate for Curt Flood's induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

Representative David Trone, Senator Roy Blunt, and Reps. William Lacy Clay and Ann Wagner led the initiative and sent a letter to Jane Forbes Clark, the Hall of Fame chair, urging that Flood be elected by the next Golden Era committee in December. 

 

A contingent of 102 members of Congress signed the letter, which included the passage, "There would be no more fitting time to enshrine Mr. Flood into the Hall of Fame than during the 50th anniversary of his courageous court challenge to the reserve system, which helped transform professional sports.''

 

Representatives from four other major sports unions -- the NFLPA, NHLPA, NBPA and MLSPA -- joined the MLBPA at the news conference in Washington. In a joint statement, they said,

 

"Curt Flood's historic challenge of the reserve clause a half century ago transcended baseball. He courageously sacrificed his career to take a stand for the rights of all players in professional sports, bringing the issue of free agency to the forefront of national discussion. His accomplishments on the field and off warrant induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame."

 

Flood won seven Gold Gloves, made three All-Star teams and played for two World Championship teams in St. Louis before his court challenge effectively ended his playing days at age 31. His greatest contribution was sacrificing his career for the betterment of fellow athletes in baseball and all other professional sports.