The evolution of baseball's highest-paid players since Kirby Puckett become the first $3 million player. Salaries listed are average annual values for multi-year deals.
Show me the money
|
Date
|
Player
|
Team
|
Salary
|
Nov. 22, 1989
|
Kirby Puckett
|
Twins
|
$3,000,000
|
Nov. 28, 1989
|
Rickey Henderson
|
Athletics
|
$3,000,000
|
Dec. 1, 1989
|
Mark Langston
|
Angels
|
$3,250,000
|
Dec. 11, 1989
|
Mark Davis
|
Royals
|
$3,250,000
|
Jan. 17, 1990
|
Dave Stewart
|
Athletics
|
$3,550,000
|
Jan. 22, 1990
|
Will Clark
|
Giants
|
$3,750,000
|
April 9, 1990
|
Don Mattingly
|
Yankees
|
$3,860,000
|
June 27, 1990
|
Jose Canseco
|
Athletics
|
$4,700,000
|
Feb. 8, 1991
|
Roger Clemens
|
Red Sox
|
$5,380,250
|
Dec. 2, 1991
|
Bobby Bonilla
|
Mets
|
$5,800,000
|
March 2, 1992
|
Ryne Sandberg
|
Cubs
|
$7,100,000
|
Dec. 8, 1992
|
Barry Bonds
|
Giants
|
$7,291,666
|
Jan. 31, 1996
|
Ken Griffey Jr.
|
Mariners
|
$8,500,000
|
Nov. 19, 1996
|
Albert Belle
|
White Sox
|
$11,000,000
|
Feb. 20, 1997
|
Barry Bonds
|
Giants
|
$11,450,000
|
Aug. 10, 1997
|
Greg Maddux
|
Braves
|
$11,500,000
|
Dec. 12, 1997
|
Pedro Martinez
|
Red Sox
|
$12,500,000
|
Oct. 26, 1998
|
Mike Piazza
|
Mets
|
$13,000,000
|
Nov. 15, 1998
|
Mo Vaughn
|
Angels
|
$13,333,333
|
Dec. 12, 1998
|
Kevin Brown
|
Dodgers
|
$15,000,000
|
Sources: Baseball America 1999 Almanac and ESPN.com research. | |
ALSO SEE
Highest baseball salaries
|