Professional Baseball Player. He was a New York Giants outfielder famous for challenging baseball's reserve clause in a 1947 federal lawsuit. He played with the Giants in 1944 and '45, but the following year he joined the Mexican League rather than return to the minors. In April 1946, commissioner Happy Chandler imposed a ban of at least five years on all players who had gone to the Mexican League. The next year, Gardella sued baseball, seeking $300,000 in damages. He argued that baseball was illegally depriving him of his livelihood and violating antitrust law through the reserve clause, which bound a player to his club until he was released or traded. Rather than risk a legal battle, in 1949 Chandler offered amnesty to all players who had gone to Mexico. Gardella dropped his suit and later received a $60,000 settlement. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1950, but was sent to the minors after one at-bat. He never played in the majors again.
Professional Baseball Player. He was a New York Giants outfielder famous for challenging baseball's reserve clause in a 1947 federal lawsuit. He played with the Giants in 1944 and '45, but the following year he joined the Mexican League rather than return to the minors. In April 1946, commissioner Happy Chandler imposed a ban of at least five years on all players who had gone to the Mexican League. The next year, Gardella sued baseball, seeking $300,000 in damages. He argued that baseball was illegally depriving him of his livelihood and violating antitrust law through the reserve clause, which bound a player to his club until he was released or traded. Rather than risk a legal battle, in 1949 Chandler offered amnesty to all players who had gone to Mexico. Gardella dropped his suit and later received a $60,000 settlement. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1950, but was sent to the minors after one at-bat. He never played in the majors again.
Bio by: Ron Moody
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