Hershiser Sets Pay Record--$7.9 Million

Dodger pitcher Orel Hershiser became the highest paid player in baseball history Thursday when he agreed to a $7.9-million, three-year contract with the Dodgers.

Hershiser will receive a $1.1-million signing bonus over three years and $2.4 million in salary this season. He will earn $1.6 million next season and $2.8 million in 1991.

Hershiser, the National League Cy Young Award winner last season, will earn $2,766,667 this season, including the prorated share of the signing bonus. He could become the first player to make $3 million a season. In 1991, he will earn $3,166,667, including the prorated share of the signing bonus.

Arbitration Avoided

The agreement was reached shortly before the contract dispute was to have been submitted to arbitration. Hershiser, who earned $1.1 million last season, had asked for $2.425 million this season and the Dodgers had offered $2 million.

After being offered more than he could have been awarded through arbitration, Hershiser agreed to sign. He made a key concession, however.

He had sought a clause in his contract that he would be paid in the event of a lockout by management when baseball’s collective bargaining agreement expires in 1990. He did not get a lockout clause and will not be paid in the event of a strike or lockout.

“I’m glad it’s over with,” Hershiser said. “Now I can get on with baseball. I know I’ll be a Dodger for the next three years.

“Deep down, this is where I wanted to be. In the back of my mind, I knew leaving was a possibility. It was not my first desire.”

Hershiser, 30, the most valuable player in the World Series and National League playoffs, had a 23-8 record with a 2.26 earned-run average in 1988. He finished the regular season with a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings.

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