This Date in Washington Senators History – Short makes another controversial trade

November 3

1970 For the second time in less than a month, Bob Short makes another controversial trade. Short deals 3 minor curt floodleaguers, Greg Goossen, Gene Martin and Jeff Terpko, to the Phillies for the right to negotiate with former Cardinals star OF Curt Flood. Flood had sat out 1970 after refusing to report to Philadelphia following his trade from St. Louis. To ensure that Flood would sign with Washington, Short convinced commissioner Bowie Kuhn to agree to a clause in Flood’s contract which stated that Flood’s legal challenge to the reserve clause would not be “prejudiced”. Flood would sign a 1 year, $110,000 deal with the Senators, which included a verbal no-trade clause by Short which guaranteed Flood’s salary. Short also assured Flood in private that Flood would be granted free agency after the season if the Senators and Flood could not reach terms for a 1972 contract. All of Short’s maneuverings would be for naught. Flood, his skills eroded, would sport a .200 average in just 13 games in Washington before bolting the team on April 26 for Spain.

Senators Birthdays

After 6 deliveries yesterday, the stork gets a well deserved day off. There are no Senators birthdays to report on November 3rd.