The late Curt Flood was one of the most important baseball players of the 20th century if not one of the most influential athletes period. His courageous stance against Major League Baseball's reserve clause in 1969 led to the creation of free agency in America's national pastime and eventually all other major professional sports. He was further recognized by Congress when the Curt Flood Act of 1998 one year after his passing established federal antitrust law protection for all MLB players equal to other pro athletes. Flood may be more celebrated off the field as a pioneer for pro athletes' rights but his career accolades on the diamond were quite impressive as well. In a 15-year career spent almost entirely in St. Louis centerfielder Flood won seven straight Gold Glove awards from 1963-69 earned three All-Star appearances and played a major role on two Cardinals' World Series-winning teams in 1964 and '67. During those two championship seasons Flood batted .311 and .335 respectively. From September 3 1965 to June 4 1967 he did not commit an error in centerfield which stood as a Cardinals' team record until 2013. In 2015 he was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame; it would only be fair to his legacy to see him enshrined in Cooperstown one day.

This lot includes 13 personal bank checks that Flood signed in 1994 and 1995. All are Curt Flood Youth Foundation checks made out to Curt Flood and signed at least twice; ten contain three signatures. A couple have torn edges a short rip on one end or a slight crease from being folded but the majority remain in great shape. Overall they range 6-8/10 in terms of condition. Flood's signatures on each check rate 7-9/10 in our book. SMR value for one Curt Flood single-signed check is $500.

Signatures all pre-certified by PSA/DNA. Come directly from his widow Judy Pace Flood's personal collection.