Cleveland, Ohio – The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) today announced that Marvin Miller, former executive director of the players’ union 1966-1984, will be the luncheon banquet keynote speaker at this year’s national convention on July 17, 2004 in Cincinnati. 

Under Miller’s leadership, the players’ union gained the right to bargain collectively and use agents to negotiate individual contracts.  Considered by Sports Illustrated among the 10 most influential people in sports, Miller is deemed by most historians as the driving force that ended the reserve clause in major league baseball leading to the creation of free agency.  In addition, Miller is widely regarded for being the impetus behind the institution of arbitration in labor disputes, the right for veteran players to veto trades and an improved pension plan funded largely through percentages of television revenue. 

The awards luncheon is part of the thirty-fourth annual national SABR convention (SABR 34) held from July 15 to 18th.  An annual event, this year’s program, held at the Westin Hotel in downtown Cincinnati, includes notable guest speakers, panels of old-time players, research presentations and a major league baseball game.