1953: Major League Monopoly

Fifty-nine years ago this week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Major League baseball exempt from the nation's anti-trust law.

Since the National League joined forces with the American League in 1903, the union of the two leagues has held a virtual monopoly on the professional game and its players, effectively preventing other competitive leagues from succeeding.

Early in the 20th century, a minor league called the Federal League of Base Ball Clubs developed major league ambitions and, in 1915, sued the Major League for interfering with their attempts to hire players that were between contracts (Federal Baseball Club v. National League). The court did not render an immediate opinion, but took the case under advisement long enough for the Federal League to have financial problems and disband.

The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the Sherman Antitrust Act did not apply to Major League Baseball.

Since then, the only time the Major League’s anti-trust exemption was seriously challenged or reached the Supreme Court was Curt Flood's suit for free agency in 1972.

The Roster
Playbooks
Curt Flood in the Media
Artwork: Fielder Jones, manager and player, St. Louis Federal League baseball 1914