"I lost money, coaching jobs, a shot at the Hall Of Fame. But when you weigh that against all the things that are really and truly important, things that are deep inside you, then I think I've succeeded. People try to make a Greek tragedy of my life, and they can't do it. I'm too happy. Remember when I told you about the American dream? That if you worked hard enough and tried hard enough and kicked yourself in the butt, you'd succeed? Well, I think I did, I think I did."

Curtis Charles Flood was born in January 18, 1939 in Houston, Texas. The last of six children. Curt's family moved to Oakland, California when he was two years old. Curt started playing baseball when he was six years old, he also excelled as an artist.

Flood landed a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, there he played for 12 years. In 1969, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. Players were bound by contract with their original team and had no choice about being traded. Flood wanted to be a 'free agent.' Curt Flood refused to be a part of baseball's ('plantation system') the reserve clause.

Flood was a high profile player, he was a two time world champion, seven time gold glove winner and played 226 consecutive games without an error. Flood did not feel good about the trade. Once a team signed you, you were apart of that organization for life.

In January 1970 Flood filed a suit against major League Baseball and it's reserve clause. Flood gave up his $100.000 contract. His case went all the way to the Supreme Court and he lost.

Flood lost in court, but him taking a stand changed major league sports. It would be a few years, but the seed had been planted. Flood sacrificed his career in baseball so that he would not feel like a piece of property to be bought and sold.