MLB’s First Family of Free Agents

 

Player

1975 Salary

1976 Salary

1977 Salary

%Change*

 

 

 

 

 

Hitters

 

 

 

 

Reggie Jackson

$135,000

$185,000

$400,000

196.3%

Joe Rudi

$50,000

$67,200

$200,000

300.0%

Gary Matthews

$42,000

$100,000

138.1%

Don Baylor

$40,000

$170,000

325.0%

Bobby Grich

$46,000

$65,000

$190,000

313.0%

Gene Tenace

$45,000

$40,800

$155,000

244.4%

Norm Cash

$105,000

$200,000

90.5%

Sal Bando

$100,000

$80,000

$250,000

150.0%

Bert Campaneris

$72,000

$190,000

163.9%

 

 

 

 

 

Pitchers

 

 

 

 

Wayne Garland

$23,000

$215,000

834.8%

Don Gullett

$58,400

$150,000

156.8%

Rollie Fingers

$65,000

$71,200

$200,000

207.7%

Bill Campbell

$22,000

$160,000

627.3%

Doyle Alexander

$28,400

$150,000

428.2%

 

 

 

 

 

*The percentage change was for 1975 and 1977, unless player had no observed 1975 salary in which case the percentage change was for 1976 and 1977.

 

Source: Rodney Fort, adapted from Sommers and Quinton (1982).