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Posted By: Steve Dawson

Paul,

If I'm thinking correctly, I seem to remember it being Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally who were the first to successfully challenge the reserve clause and become free agents. Then when Messersmith was signed by Atlanta, Ted Turner gave him #17 and had him wear "Channel" as his name on the back of his jersey (Channel 17 was WTBS in Atlanta). Bowie Kuhn then interceded and ruled that was unauthorized advertising and ordered Messersmith to wear his real name.


Steve