When centerfielder Curt Flood’s name is mentioned in Major League Baseball, the first
thing many think of is him helping create free agency, and being the first free agent in
in the sport. While that was a significant achievement, Flood reached one other significant milestone: execute to perfection. And more specifically, his attention to detail
defensively was masterful.
Flood — who played for the Cincinnati Redlegs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Senators during his 15-year career — did not commit an error in 227 games, becoming one of the most sure-handed outfielders in Major League Baseball in the 1960s. But like all good things, it had to end. And in Game 228, the streak for Flood did end, as he committed an error when trying to field a fly ball while playing for the Cardinals. Flood did not get shortstop Lou Brock called off in enough time, and the two collided, with Flood watching the ball fall to the ground. The streak was officially over on that day, Jun 4, 1967.
