"Whatever I contributed to the unique morale of the Cardinals was part of this growth, and so, of course, was my decision to have it out in public with the owners of organized baseball"

Curt Flood was a professional baseball player who was known for challenging the reserve clause in Major League Baseball. This quote is from his autobiography and speaks to his contribution to the morale of the St. Louis Cardinals, the team he bet. He is stating that his choice to withstand the owners of arranged baseball belonged to his development as a gamer and an individual, and that it had a favorable impact on the morale of the Cardinals. He is indicating that his guts and determination to combat for what he believed in had a favorable impact on the team. He is also suggesting that his choice to make his battle public was a way of motivating others to stand up for what they think in. His words are a suggestion that we need to never be afraid to stand up for what we believe in, even if it implies breaking the status quo.