Richard Myron Moss (July 30, 1931 – September 21, 2024) was an American labor lawyer. He argued the 1975 case involving pitchers Dave McNally and Andy Messersmith which led to the Seitz decision. The decision, which got rid of the reserve clause that bound players to teams unless their contracts expired or they were traded or released, led to free agency in baseball.
Early life and education
editMoss was born on July 30, 1931, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Nathan and Celia (Rosenblatt) Moss. He completed his bachelor's degree at the University of Pittsburgh in 1952, followed by a law degree from Harvard University in 1955. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army for two years before entering the legal field.[1][2]
Career
editMoss began his legal career in government service before joining the United Steelworkers of America in 1960. It was during this time that he met Marvin Miller, who would become his mentor. When Miller was appointed the first executive director of the MLB Players Association in 1966, he brought Moss along to help educate players on union strategies and negotiate agreements. Together, they secured MLB's first collective bargaining agreement in 1968, and later an arbitration system in 1970.[1]
Moss played a crucial role in several landmark cases, most notably the 1975 case involving Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Andy Messersmith. Moss successfully argued that MLB's reserve clause, which had historically bound players to their teams indefinitely, should only allow for a one-year renewal. This decision, upheld in federal court, was a key factor in the establishment of free agency for MLB players.[1] At the time of the decision, the average MLB salary was a little under $45,000. It rose to $76,000 by 1977 and the average MLB salary was $4.5 million by 2023, a 100-fold increase.[3]
Following this success, Moss transitioned to a career as a sports agent, representing notable players such as Nolan Ryan, Fernando Valenzuela, and Gary Carter. He negotiated some of the largest contracts in baseball at the time, including Nolan Ryan's record-breaking $4.5 million deal with the Houston Astros in 1979.[1][4]
Personal life and death
editMoss was married three times. He is survived by his third wife, Carol Freis, whom he married in 1980, and his daughter, Nancy Moss Ephron, from his second marriage. His other daughter, Betsy, predeceased him. Moss spent much of his later life in the Los Angeles area, where he was involved in various philanthropic efforts, including serving on the board of a chapter of the NAACP.[1]
Moss died in Santa Monica, California, on September 21, 2024, at the age of 93.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Henson, Steve (September 25, 2024). "Dick Moss, the lawyer who helped bring free agency to MLB players nearly 50 years ago, dies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- ^ Sandomir, Richard (September 24, 2024). "Dick Moss, Who Helped Usher In Baseball Free Agency, Dies at 93". New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- ^ "Dick Moss, lawyer behind free agency in baseball who revolutionized pro sports pay, dies at 93". CBS News. Associated Press. September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- ^ Lancaster, Hal (May 1, 1987). "Outspoken Agent Is Focal Point in Battle Between Baseball Owners and the Players". Wall Street Journal. ProQuest 398049745. Retrieved November 12, 2024.