March 2, 1989 Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott settles a salary dispute with outfielder Kal Daniels by flipping a coin in the parking lot of the spring training complex on live TV. Daniels wins the toss and collects an extra $25k in 1989. Daniels will be traded to the Dodgers during the season and hit…
On June 21, 1986, Bo Jackson, the former Auburn running back who won the Heisman Trophy last season and was the No. 1 pick in the National Football League draft, signed with the Kansas City Royals today, reportedly shunning a $7 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a contract worth less than a…
On March 8, 1985, Toronto Blue Jays ace Dave Stieb signs an unusual 11-year contract. The deal carries an estimated value of $25 million, based on deferred payments and incentives. The agreement believed to be the longest for a player in baseball history. “You could use that figure ($25 Million) and not be far off,”…
1984 – Pedro Guerrero becomes the highest-paid player in Dodgers history when he signs a five-year, seven-million dollar contract to play in Los Angeles.
After five months of discussion, the Mets and Keith Hernandez, who was eligible for free-agency at the end of the season, come to terms on an $8 million, five-year contract. The deal makes the first baseman the second-highest paid player in franchise history, earning slightly less than George Foster’s $10 million, five-year pact signed precisely two years ago.
On March 3, 1983, Thirty-eight-year-old Steve Carlton signs a four-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. The $4.15 million deal makes “Lefty” the highest-paid pitcher in major league history. Carlton led the National League with 23 wins in 1982. Vintage Baseball HOT ON EBAYCard Collections ENDING SOON ON EBAYMOST WANTED ROOKIE CARDSVINTAGE SPORTS TICKETSBaseball…
Ozzie Smith becomes the game’s first $1 million shortstop when the infielder inks a three-year pact with the World Champion Cardinals. The ‘Wizard of Ahs’, best known for his outstanding defense, won his third consecutive Gold Glove in the offseason.
1983 – Bob Horner agrees to a four-year contract with the Atlanta Braves that will pay him up to $6 million, including $400,000 in bonuses if he keeps his weight below 215 pounds.
1982 – Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela ends his holdout and reports to the Dodgers spring training camp in Vero Beach, Florida. In 1981, Valenzuela captured the National League Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards after winning 13 games with a 2.48 ERA and 180 strikeouts during the strike-shortened season. After earning just $42,500 in his rookie season, Valenzuela had asked for a raise to $1 million this year. The Dodgers unilaterally renewed his contract for a reported $350,000 instead.
On December 21, 1981, the Philadelphia Phillies sign future Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt to a six-year contract worth $1.2 million per season. During the strike-shortened 1981 season, Schmidt led the National League in home runs (31), RBI (91) and runs (78). During the course of the contract, Schmidt will lead the league in home…
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