Extra Innings · Baseball's Exemption
South of the Border Jump
Gardella v. Chandler (1949)
Charge: Sherman/Clayton Act antitrust treble damages - outfielder blacklisted after jumping to a foreign league; appeal from dismissal (suit against the Commissioner and organized baseball)Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second CircuitDocket: Baseball's Exemption
Should a blacklisted player's antitrust suit against organized baseball be allowed to proceed despite the 1922 ruling that baseball is not interstate commerce?
The facts
A New York outfielder left his club to play in a rival league in Mexico, breaching the reserve clause. Organized baseball banned him from returning. He sued the Commissioner and others for treble damages under the antitrust laws. The trial court dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction, relying on the 1922 Supreme Court decision. On appeal he argued that radio and television broadcasting of games across state lines had changed the picture.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: Gardella v. Chandler, 172 F.2d 402 (2d Cir. 1949)
Read more at case-law.vlex.com. The source reveals the outcome.