The Curious Case Of Curt Flood (HBO 2011)

From childhood, he was a skilled athlete who loved baseball. He was also sheltered enough so he was shocked to attend his first spring training camp at age 18 and learn that "colored" players often had to eat separately, or that some clubhouse managers would not wash black and white players' uniforms together.

This injustice and loss of dignity fueled his later will to sue.

What may have bothered him more during the suit, though, was that no fellow players, including his Hall of Fame roommate Bob Gibson, publicly supported him.

Gibson, interviewed here, says he was sympathetic, but admits: "We stayed about 10 paces behind, in case there was fallout."

Still, the documentary makes it clear Flood's problems were not all external. He was bad with money and now had no income. He owed alimony and child support. He drank. One of his daughters says she understands the pressure now, but at the time "We only knew he was never there."

We'll never know how Curt Flood's life would have been different without his lawsuit, or whether baseball's course would have changed. In that sense, it's accurate to say his case is curious.

It's also a lot more.

This is a film that all baseball fans should see. I hope you all get something out of it.