Today in Baseball History: December 24th

1990 On December 24, 1990, the Montreal Expos trade longtime leadoff man Tim Raines to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Ivan Calderon and pitcher Barry Jones. In 12 seasons with the Expos, Raines batted .301 and stole 634 bases, the most in franchise history.

1969 On December 24, 1969, star outfielder Curt Flood refuses to accept a trade to the Philadelphia Phillies, less than two months after being dealt by the St. Louis Cardinals. The trade had sent Flood, catcher Tim McCarver, outfielder Byron Browne, and pitcheFlood writes a letter to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, explaining that he should be free to sign with any team he chooses. "I do not feel that I am a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective of my wishes," writes Flood. Flood will file suit against Major League Baseball, challenging the game's reserve clause, which binds a player perpetually to his team. After losing the suit, Flood will attempt a comeback with the Washington Senators.

1949 On December 24, 1949, Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander is found lying unconscious in an alley in Hollywood, California. The former pitching great, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1938, is suffering from epilepsy and is missing one of his ears. Alexander will die from liver disease less than a year later.

1913 On December 24, 1913, former outfielder Louis "Chief" Sockalexis dies from tuberculosis in Burlington, Maine. Sockalexis spent three seasons in the majors and was one of the first, if not the first, Native American to play professionally.