Gray Braves fans (abbrev. GR.AVES) remember the name Andy Messersmith. Every so often, it's worth revisiting his story.
Messersmith pitched for the Dodgers in the early- to mid-seventies, and he was a good one. But in 1975, he wasn't going to get the raise he wanted and probably deserved. In those days, all the leverage was with the owners. They had your rights, and you basically took what they gave you. He was miffed enough, but the Dodger GM, Al Campanis, also got personal in the dispute. He brought up something from Messersmith's off-the-field life. We don't know what, but that was the straw that sent the camel to the chiro. No way would he sign anything they put in front of him.
Messersmith couldn't go anywhere, but he just pitched the season with no contract. The idea was to use the one-year reserve clause, then go to arbitration. He led the NL in ERA and complete games and notched an All-Star appearance and a golden glove. After the season, he won the arbitration, and the conclusion was--since the Dodgers hadn't signed him, he was a free agent. Which changed baseball forever. It rocked the major league world. Don't forget the Braves organization detested the Dodgers in those days.
Ted Turner, of course, stepped in and signed AM to a huge contract (huge by 1976 and Austin Powers standards: "One MILL-ION DOLLARS!") For three years. And the kicker was, Turner issued him jersey #17 and put CHANNEL rather than Andy's name above the numbers. You'll recall, if you're of age, that the Superstation where the Braves played was, of course, Channel 17.
The National League, of course, couldn't handle the sheer quantity of fun involved, and canceled these hijinks immediately.
In '76, Messersmith finished 11-11—for a godawful Dave Bristol team, it should be noted—with an ERA of 3.04. He went to another All-Star game and pitched only one more part-season for the Braves, but free agents are still here.
And still not free. See what happens when you get personal, Campanis?
Messersmith pitched for the Dodgers in the early- to mid-seventies, and he was a good one. But in 1975, he wasn't going to get the raise he wanted and probably deserved. In those days, all the leverage was with the owners. They had your rights, and you basically took what they gave you. He was miffed enough, but the Dodger GM, Al Campanis, also got personal in the dispute. He brought up something from Messersmith's off-the-field life. We don't know what, but that was the straw that sent the camel to the chiro. No way would he sign anything they put in front of him.
Messersmith couldn't go anywhere, but he just pitched the season with no contract. The idea was to use the one-year reserve clause, then go to arbitration. He led the NL in ERA and complete games and notched an All-Star appearance and a golden glove. After the season, he won the arbitration, and the conclusion was--since the Dodgers hadn't signed him, he was a free agent. Which changed baseball forever. It rocked the major league world. Don't forget the Braves organization detested the Dodgers in those days.
Ted Turner, of course, stepped in and signed AM to a huge contract (huge by 1976 and Austin Powers standards: "One MILL-ION DOLLARS!") For three years. And the kicker was, Turner issued him jersey #17 and put CHANNEL rather than Andy's name above the numbers. You'll recall, if you're of age, that the Superstation where the Braves played was, of course, Channel 17.
The National League, of course, couldn't handle the sheer quantity of fun involved, and canceled these hijinks immediately.
In '76, Messersmith finished 11-11—for a godawful Dave Bristol team, it should be noted—with an ERA of 3.04. He went to another All-Star game and pitched only one more part-season for the Braves, but free agents are still here.
And still not free. See what happens when you get personal, Campanis?
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