What Year Did Baseball Players Start Getting Paid?
Baseball is a beloved game that dates back to the 19th century and has become a major part of American culture throughout its history. But when did baseball players first start getting paid for their work? This article will explore the history of baseball salaries and when players began to receive compensation for their work.
Early Baseball Salaries
Though baseball was a popular game in the early 19th century, it wasn’t until 1869 that the first professional team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, was created. This team was the first to pay players a salary, and they paid their players a total of $2,400 for the season. This was a very low salary compared to what players are paid today, but it was a start.
The National League was formed in 1876, and it was the first professional baseball league. It was also the first to set a maximum salary for players, setting it at $2,000. This salary remained in place for the next two decades.
The Rise of Major League Baseball
It wasn’t until 1903 that the American League was formed, which is now known as Major League Baseball (MLB). This new league was the first to set a minimum salary for players, which was set at $2,400 per season.
The first player to make over $5,000 in a season was Philadelphia Athletics pitcher Eddie Plank in 1906. This salary was considered a very high salary at the time, and it sparked a trend of increasing salaries in the MLB.
The Growth of Salaries
By the start of the 1920s, the average MLB salary had grown to $6,000, and the maximum salary was set at $15,000. This was a significant increase from the early days of the sport, and it marked a new era of baseball salaries.
By the 1950s, the average salary had grown to $19,000 and the maximum salary was set at $50,000. This was a significant increase from the early days of the sport, and it marked a new era of baseball salaries.
The Influence of Television
The advent of television had a major impact on the salaries of baseball players. With the new ability to broadcast games to a large audience, the popularity of MLB skyrocketed and the league was able to generate more revenue. This increased revenue allowed them to offer higher salaries to players, and by the 1970s, the average salary had grown to $44,000 and the maximum salary was set at $250,000.
The Impact of Free Agency
The introduction of free agency in 1976 had a major impact on the salaries of baseball players. Free agency allowed players to switch teams and command higher salaries, which led to an explosion in player salaries.
By the 1980s, the average salary had grown to $241,000 and the maximum salary was set at $2.4 million. This was a significant increase from previous decades, and it marked a new era of baseball salaries.
The 1990s and Beyond
The 1990s saw further increases in baseball salaries, with the average salary rising to $1.2 million and the maximum salary set at $25 million. This was a significant increase from the previous decade, and it showed that baseball salaries were continuing to rise.
Today, the average salary in MLB is $4.45 million, and the maximum salary is set at $37.5 million. This is a large increase from the early days of the sport, and it shows that baseball players are now being compensated much more than they were in the past.
The Impact of Salaries on the Game
The increase in salaries has had a major impact on the game of baseball. With higher salaries, players are now able to dedicate more time to the game and perfect their craft. This has led to a higher level of play on the field, which has made the game even more enjoyable for fans.
The increase in salaries has also had an impact on the way teams are constructed. With higher salaries, teams are now able to sign more talented players and build better teams. This has led to a more competitive game and an overall higher level of play.
Conclusion
Baseball players first started getting paid in 1869, when the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first professional team to pay its players a salary. Since then, salaries have grown steadily, with the average salary reaching $4.45 million in 2020. This increase in salaries has had a major impact on the game, with players now able to dedicate more time to perfecting their craft and teams able to build better rosters.
The Future of Baseball Salaries
It’s hard to predict where baseball salaries will go in the future, but it’s likely that they will continue to rise. With the popularity of the sport continuing to grow, teams will likely be able to offer higher salaries to players in order to attract the best talent.
FAQs
- When did baseball players first start getting paid? Baseball players first started getting paid in 1869, when the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first professional team to pay its players a salary.
- What was the highest salary in the early days of baseball? The highest salary in the early days of baseball was $15,000, which was set by the National League in 1876.
- What is the average salary in MLB today? The average salary in MLB today is $4.45 million.
- What has been the biggest impact of higher salaries on the game? The biggest impact of higher salaries on the game has been the ability of players to dedicate more time to perfecting their craft and teams being able to build better rosters.
Final Thoughts
Baseball players first started getting paid in 1869, and since then salaries have grown steadily. This increase in salaries has had a major impact on the game, with players now able to dedicate more time to perfecting their craft and teams being able to build better rosters. It will be interesting to see where baseball salaries go in the future, but it’s likely that they will continue to rise.