-
Reserve clause created
Allowed teams to retain players rights after expiration of contract. -
First Player's Union Formed
Formed by John Montgomery Ward and 8 other players. "The Brotherhood of Professional Baseball Players" -
Sherman Antitrust act
"Competition law" prohibits business activities that government regulators deem to be anti-competitive. ex. reserve clause -
Players' Protective Association
Chief Zimmer was the founding president, with a continued goal to combat the reserve clause. -
The Fraternity of Professional Baseball Players in America
Created by star players, including Ty Cobb. Led to owners paying for uniforms, increasing salaries, and painting outfield walls green. -
Federal Baseball Club v. National League Court Case
U.S Supreme Court rules Sherman Antitrust does not apply to Major League Baseball -
MLBPA Formed
Bob Feller serves as union president -
First MLBPA Executive Director Appointed
Marvin Miller serves from now until 1982. "Marvin Miller along with Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson is one of the two or three most important men in baseball history." -Red Barber -
First Collective Bargaining Agreement established
Minimum salary raised - First big advance in players rights -
Curtis Flood challenges reserve clause
Writes letter to commissioner Bowie Kuhn, backed by Jackie Robinson. No current players testified. Case makes it to supreme court. -
First Strike in MLB History
86 games lost, ended when players and owners agreed to $500,000 increase in pension fund payments. -
Period: to
Free Agency
Free Agency officially instated ('75)
Free Agency written into CBA ('76) -
Major League Baseball Strike
MLB lost a total of 712 (38% of schedule) games. Centered around player compensation. -
Donald Fehr Named Exectuive Director
-
Mark McGwire
Uses steriod precursor, beginning of an era. -
Drug Policy Implemented
Applies strictly to Minor League teams at this point. -
Survey Testing
First drug testing policy implemented at the Major League level. -
BALCO Case
10 players called to testfiy in BALCO case -
Period: to
Joint Drug Program
MLB begins testing players under the punitive phase of the agreement ('04)
Alex Sanchez first to test positive under program ('05) -
MLBPA agrees to modifications of Joint Drug Policy
Addresses evolving issues in the science and technology of drug testing
