January 18, 1975, Tom Seaver agrees to take a 20% pay cut. He made a record $173,000 last season and he takes a $34K pay hit after winning only 11 games in 1974. He said the decision was made after a meeting with M. Donald Grant. “I wasn’t disturbed by the cut. The club has…
On May 2, 1972, the long holdout of Oakland A’s pitching star Vida Blue comes to an end. Blue, who won the both the American League MVP and Cy Young awards in 1971, agrees to sign a contract for $63,000, after balking at owner Charlie Finley’s previous offers. Perhaps affected by the long layoff, the…
On March 16, 1972, Oakland A’s holdout Vida Blue announces that he has rejected the team’s latest contract offer and will retire to work for a company that makes toilet fixtures. The “retirement” won’t last long. The “retirement” won’t last long, as Blue will eventually come to terms with Oakland and begin his season in…
On February 29, 1972, future Hall of Famer Hank Aaron becomes the first player to earn $200,000 in average annual salary. Aaron signs a three-year deal with the Atlanta Braves on the heels of one of his best seasons – a .327 average, 47 home runs, and 118 RBIs.
1971 – Willie Mays signs a two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants for $165,000 per season.
On February 17, 1971, future Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski signs a three-year contract with the Boston Red Sox worth $500,000. The deal is believed to be the largest in major league history. In 1970, Yastrzemski enjoyed one of his finest seasons, batting .329, with 40 home runs, 102 RBIs, and a career-high…
On March 13, 1969 Willie McCovey ended his holdout Thursday when he signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants, believed to call for $85,000 this season. The slugging first baseman indicated that the second year of the pact was flexible and terms could be revised upward if he has another outstanding…
On February 26, 1969, Boston Red Sox star and American League batting champion Carl Yastrzemski becomes the highest-paid player in league history. Yaz signs a one-year deal worth $115,000. In 1968, Yaz batted a league-leading .301 and also paced the AL with 119 walks. He will reward the Red Sox by hitting 40 homeruns and…
April 3, 1966, Tom Seaver picks the Mets’ name from a hat in a lottery, signing with the team for a reported $50,000 bonus. Tom’s father had threatened a lawsuit, necessitating the special draft, after his son’s contract with Atlanta was voided by Commissioner William Eckert because the right-hander’s college team, USC had played two…
On March 30, 1966 — Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale’s refusal to report to spring training ends when the hurlers agree to the Dodgers’ offer of $235,000, signing for $130,000 and $105,000, respectively. The LA starters’ joint holdout lasts for 32 days, threatening retirement in an effort to acquire pay raises. The pair had begun…
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