For their last show of the year, Baseball Prospectus Radio had a “Best of 2006” episode airing some of their best clips from the past year. One clip was Marvin Miller, former players’ representative. For as much influence he’s had on the game (negative or positive, it’s your call), it’s hard to believe that he retired in 1984. The clip was interesting enough for me to go back to BPR’s
archive and check out the whole interview.
Much of the interview was devoted to the Curt Flood and reserve clause. That reminded me that my wife gave me as a Christmas gift, the book A Well-Paid Slave: Curt Flood’s Fight for Free Agency in Professional Sports.. I look forward to reading it. It’s second in my book queue at the moment (right now, I’m reading Bill James’ Whatever Happened to the Hall of Fame? I always enjoy reading Bill James.
I don’t always agree with him but his books are a good read).
Curt Flood never won his case and aside from a short stint with the Senators, never made it big in the majors after his case despite his immense talents.