Curt Flood

Curtis Charles Flood Sr. (January 18, 1938 – January 20, 1997) was an American professional baseball center fielder and activist who played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Redlegs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Senators. Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Oakland, California, he developed in the same West Oakland outfield that produced other future major leaguers.

A three-time All-Star, Flood won the Gold Glove for seven consecutive seasons and batted over .300 in six seasons. He led the National League in hits with 211 in 1964 and in singles in 1963, 1964, and 1968. Defensively, he led the league in putouts as a center fielder four times and in fielding percentage as a center fielder three times. He retired with the third-most games in center field in NL history, 1,683, trailing only Willie Mays and Richie Ashburn.

Flood became one of the pivotal figures in baseball's labor history when he refused to accept a trade following the 1969 season, ultimately appealing his case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Although his legal challenge was unsuccessful, it brought additional solidarity among players as they fought against baseball's reserve clause and sought free agency.