This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2016
Curt Flood was one of the most important baseball players of the 20th century, if not one of the most influential athletes period. His courageous stance against Major League Baseball's reserve clause in 1969 would lead to the creation of free agency in America's pastime and eventually all other major professional sports. He is celebrated more off the field as a pioneer for pro athletes' rights, but his career accolades on the diamond were quite impressive as well. Flood won 7 straight Gold Glove awards from 1963-69, earned 3 All-Star appearances, and played a major role on two World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinal teams in the 1960's. From September 3, 1965 to June 4, 1967 he did not commit an error in center field, a Cardinals record that stood until 2013. He passed away in 1997. This lot includes three single signed baseballs from Flood's personal collection. Flood has signed an ONL (Coleman) baseball in strong 9/10 blue ballpoint. Longtime St. Louis Cardinal and Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith has signed an ONL (Giamatti) baseball in 7/10 black ballpoint. Steve Carlton, who was Flood's Cardinal teammate for two years ('68-69) has signed an ONL (White) baseball in 8/10 black ink with a "HOF 94" inscription. One nice addition to the Smith and Carlton balls is that "FLOOD" is handwritten on each ball indicating that both guys specifically signed the balls for Flood. All three players have signed on the sweet spot. All three baseballs are clean and mostly white with minor toning spots.
Includes LOA from Curt Flood's wife, Judy Pace Flood.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.