Philadelphia Ball Club v. Lajoie
Pennsylvania Supreme Court
51 A. 973 (1902)
Star baseball player Lajoie (defendant) signed up to three years with the Philadelphia Ball Club (plaintiff), agreeing not to play for a rival while PBC retained the right to release him on just 10 days' notice; after beginning performance, Lajoie broke the deal to join a rival team, and PBC sued for an injunction. The lower court refused the injunction, reasoning Lajoie's skills weren't truly irreplaceable and that the contract lacked "mutuality of remedy" given PBC's easy exit option versus Lajoie's longer commitment, prompting PBC's appeal.
Whether a court will enjoin a professional athlete's breach of a personal-services contract where the player possesses special skills not readily obtainable elsewhere and the breach causes irreparable injury.