Mantle's highest salary, his contract in 1963 was for 100,000. That is less than one million in today's dollars. So no, before free agency the salaries are not even close. I read a book as a child about the Yankees which had a story that Mickey wanted more than 100,000 but was told that 100,000 was the salary Babe Ruth got and nobody was worth more than the Babe. (Actually Babe got 80,000 in 1930 80,000 in 1930 dollars translates to 142000 in 1963 dollars and 1,400,000 today.

For 1.4 million today you can pay a benchwarmer, maybe.

Just for reference...

Median price of a home in NY in 1930 was around 6K ...in 1963 was around 19K. 2024 is around 799K*

*Realtor.com

Some superstars are exceptions to that. For example Stephen Curry, who just exudes personality and remains very humble. Also Arnold Palmer.

Thanks for the explanation. That puts the various players in perspective. I forgot that free agency would radically change ANY comparison between today's players and the older legends.

If you think him using corked bats is "rumors, hearsay and the unsubstantiated", then you need to do some research. There were bats that he used in games, then walked off the field and handed them to friends as gifts - these were x-rayed and proven to have been corked. Numerous clubhouse employees have stated that they had personal knowledge of him using corked bats, and on and on. Father Time was coming for him, and his massive ego couldn't accept that, so he did whatever he could to try and hang on for a few more years.

I’ve seen the same searches as you and remember the era. I believe a good portion (liken to steroid era) were cheating. Pitchers with their ‘substances’ on their lids, HGH, steroids, pine tar and yes....corked bats. Yet the baseball writers still let select players of the aforementioned....in the Hall. So I guess it’s not so much about the player, it’s the process. It’s completely flawed

It makes you appreciate professional golfers. I would say that 99% do not cheat and call penalties on themselves.

A gentleman’s sport with a code of honor.

On the other hand, 90% of weekend golfers cheat. Mulligans, improve their lie, toss the ball out of the bunker or rough, etc., etc.

I’m still, as stated, a hack. So I’ve never cheated because I’m just not that improved due to the frequency that I play the game. Translation; a stroke or two isn’t gonna change my life on the links! Now the PGA ‘fan boys’ that I play with....let’s just say some, not all are somewhat challenged on the topic!:1rotfl:

Pete Rose dead
 

No no not ever

True.