Bowie Kuhn Dies

Bowie Kuhn, whose tenure as Major League Baseball commissioner saw the emergence of free agency and a major shift in the economics of the game, died Thursday at the age of 80.

"He was a close friend, a respected leader, and an impressive figure in all ways," current commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "He led our game through a great deal of change and controversy.

…

Major League Baseball did not give details of the cause of Kuhn's death.

Kuhn was commissioner from 1969-84, and early in his tenure he fought to retain the reserve clause in the basic player contract, which bound players to clubs.

Rest In Peace, Bowie.