Dick Moss, the lawyer known for his pivotal role in the arbitration case that led to the creation of free agency for baseball players, has died at the age of 93. His passing occurred at an assisted-living residence in Santa Monica, California, where he had been residing due to declining health.
Moss, hired as the general counsel for the Major League Baseball Players Association in 1967, made history by arguing the landmark 1975 case involving pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally. This case resulted in arbitrator Peter Seitz striking down the long-standing reserve clause, which had allowed teams to control players by unilaterally renewing contracts indefinitely.
