Joe Dimaggio the first AL player to make 6 Figures

On February 7, 1949, New York Yankee superstar Joe DiMaggio signs a one-year contract worth $100,000, becoming the first American League player to earn a six-figure deal in major league history. Hank Greenberg was the first player to make six figures when he accepted the Pirates offer in 1947 after being waived by the Tigers.

In 1948, DiMaggio batted .320, while leading the American League in home runs with 39 and RBI’s with 155. It will be his last great season, he will fight injuries in 1949 and play only 76 games. He will play in the World Series going 2-18 and hit a homerun in New York’s 5 game series victory over Brooklyn.