Major League Baseball Players Association

Reserve clause created

May 9, 1879

Allowed teams to retain players rights after expiration of contract.

First Player's Union Formed

Aug 5, 1885

Formed by John Montgomery Ward and 8 other players. "The Brotherhood of Professional Baseball Players"

Sherman Antitrust act

Oct 3, 1890

"Competition law" prohibits business activities that government regulators deem to be anti-competitive. ex. reserve clause

Players' Protective Association

Dec 25, 1900

Chief Zimmer was the founding president, with a continued goal to combat the reserve clause.

The Fraternity of Professional Baseball Players in America

Dec 25, 1912

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

Aug 9, 1922

U.S Supreme Court rules Sherman Antitrust does not apply to Major League Baseball

MLBPA Formed

Apr 5, 1953

Bob Feller serves as union president

First MLBPA Executive Director Appointed

Sep 25, 1966

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

Oct 18, 1968

Minimum salary raised - First big advance in players rights

Curtis Flood challenges reserve clause

Dec 21, 1969

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

Apr 1, 1972

86 games lost, ended when players and owners agreed to $500,000 increase in pension fund payments.

Free Agency

Period: Nov 4, 1975 to Nov 20, 1976

Free Agency officially instated ('75)
Free Agency written into CBA ('76)

Major League Baseball Strike

Nov 22, 1981

MLB lost a total of 712 (38% of schedule) games. Centered around player compensation.

Donald Fehr Named Exectuive Director

Aug 12, 1986

Mark McGwire

Sep 5, 2001

Uses steriod precursor, beginning of an era.

Drug Policy Implemented

Oct 18, 2001

Applies strictly to Minor League teams at this point.

Survey Testing

Dec 20, 2002

First drug testing policy implemented at the Major League level.

BALCO Case

Jun 23, 2003

10 players called to testfiy in BALCO case

Joint Drug Program

Period: Feb 19, 2004 to Sep 30, 2005

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

Jan 1, 2013

Addresses evolving issues in the science and technology of drug testing