They’re Working on Incentive Plan

Hall of Fame outfielder Frank Robinson, who played in 12 All-Star games, was thrilled to get a bonus for making the team for the first time, in 1956.

“I got a bonus all right, a ticket to get there,” said Robinson, who was the honorary National League captain for Tuesday night’s All-Star game at Jacobs Field.

“There was no bonus. It was just an honor to be voted onto the All-Star team. The gift was the biggest thing. They had silverware, silver dishes and grandfather clocks.

“You selected a gift and that was it. That was the most exciting thing. We didn’t even get rings.”

American League Manager Joe Torre didn’t get much more for playing in eight All-Star games in the 1960s and ‘70s.

“You got some beer mugs,” Torre said. “You got a chance to pick pewter mugs. But what I like about the players that come for it now, they want to play in this game. It’s not the money.

“When I was playing, we didn’t have free agency, so there were no bonuses involved.”

Times certainly have changed.

Some players now have incentive clauses in their contracts, giving them bonuses of as much as $100,000--Ken Griffey Jr.--for making the All-Star team.

Colorado Rocky first baseman Andres Galarraga, who ranks among the National League leaders in home runs and runs batted in, got a $50,000 bonus.

“It’s motivation,” Galarraga said. “To make the All-Star team at first base is really tough because almost every first baseman in the National League is a good hitter.”

But All-Star incentives aren’t standard.

“I got a Happy Meal and all the Cokes I want,” quipped David Justice of the Cleveland Indians. “I’ve got to go rework my contract.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t really care if I get a bonus. I’m just enjoying this. I’m not thinking about what kind of bonus I’m getting.”

Pitcher Randy Johnson of the Seattle Mariners, the American League starter, doesn’t get anything.

“My bonus is just being here and having a good time,” he said.

Angel rookie pitcher Jason Dickson didn’t get a bonus either.

“I’m a rookie and it’s pretty hard to negotiate your contract with 40 days of service,” he said.

Infielder Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves received $25,000 for making the team.

“Yes, we make a lot of money, and that would lead many to believe that we don’t have a lot to go out and play for, that we just show up and throw our gloves out there,” he said.

“But everybody who’s here takes a lot of pride in the fact that they’ve worked their tail off throughout the first half. They put up the numbers to warrant an invitation to be here and they’re being rewarded for it.

“All these things are for fans. They’re to give us an incentive to go out and play hard for the fans.

“I think it’s fair. If Tony Gwynn’s going to win the batting title, who cares whether he hits .404 or .380? But if he’s got something in his contract that says he gets $50,000 if he hits .400, he’s going to try and go out and hit .400. It gives us something to shoot for.”

Dodger catcher Mike Piazza, the National League’s leading vote-getter for the second consecutive season, thinks it’s deserved.

“No one says Bill Gates [chairman of Microsoft] makes too much money,” said Piazza, who doesn’t get a bonus.

But why should players who are paid millions get a bonus for playing well, something they already are paid to do?

“Ask the general managers and the owners,” pitcher Denny Neagle of the Braves said. “If they’re willing to give it to us, we’re not going to complain. I think they feel that if you’ve had a good first half and have helped the team out, then they give you some sort of incentive or bonus.”

National League starting pitcher Greg Maddux of the Braves said players aren’t greedy.

“What are we supposed to do if the club wants to put a bonus in?” he asked. “Are we supposed to say, ‘Don’t put it in. Leave it out?’ I got one and I’m glad I did. We don’t get paid for the game.”

Jeff Bagwell of the Houston Astros, second in the National League in home runs with 24, was surprised to discover a $25,000 All-Star bonus clause in his contract.

“I guess I got one, I don’t know,” Bagwell said. “I was very surprised. We make a lot of money and to get a bonus for coming here is kind of funny.”

Mark Grace of the Chicago Cubs thinks it’s fair.

“I’m $25,000 richer,” he said. “[Such incentives are] usually part of multiyear deals. Guys have worked their entire lives to be in this room. I’d like to be making as much money as an NBA player.”

Royce Clayton of the St. Louis Cardinals said baseball makes money by marketing its players, so it’s only fair that the players should benefit.

“It brings money to the ballclub,” Clayton said. “We’re working for an industry in which they can market you and make money off your likeness. If Royce Clayton becomes a household name and everyone wants to buy Royce Clayton Cardinal jerseys, then the Cardinals benefit from that.

“If you work for a corporation and you generate X amount of dollars, you’ll receive a bonus. Sure, we make a lot of money, but nobody really understands how tough it is to go out day in and day out and sacrifice your body to help a team win.

“Without the bonus, maybe it wouldn’t be real interesting for a guy with a lot of talent to achieve his highest standard. But you want to play to the best of your ability to make that team.”

Infielder Tony Womack of the Pittsburgh Pirates says making the All-Star team is reward enough.

“I’m just happy to be in the big leagues,” he said. “I’m happy to be in the All-Star game. It’s only money. Money doesn’t symbolize the hard work you put in to get to where you are.

“A bonus is one thing. Yes, everybody needs the money, but it’s no big loss. Money’s not important to me.”

But Womack is in the minority here, where some players arrived by limousine for the game.

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The Star System

Making the All-Star team meant different things to different players. A look at who cashed in and who didn’t:

AMERICAN LEAGUE

* $100,000: Ken Griffey, Jr., Seattle.

* $75,000: Roberto Alomar, Baltimore.

* $50,000: Brady Anderson, Baltimore; Roger Clemens, Toronto; Pat Hentgen, Toronto; Randy Johnson, Seattle; David Justice, Cleveland; Edgar Martinez, Seattle; Tino Martinez, New York Yankees; Paul O’Neill, New York Yankees; Cal Ripken, Baltimore; Alex Rodriguez, Seattle; Ivan Rodriguez, Texas; Bernie Williams, New York Yankees

* $25,000: Sandy Alomar, Jr., Cleveland; Joey Cora, Seattle; Chuck Knoblauch, Minnesota; Mark McGwire, Oakland; Jim Thome, Cleveland; Justin Thompson, Detroit

* NONE: Albert Belle, Chicago White Sox; Jeff Cirillo, Milwaukee; David Cone, New York Yankees; Jason Dickson, Angels; Nomar Garciaparra, Boston; Mike Mussina, Baltimore; Randy Myers, Baltimore; Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees; Jose Rosado, Kansas City; Frank Thomas, Chicago.

*

NATIONAL LEAGUE

* $50,000: Rod Beck, San Francisco; Jeff Blauser, Atlanta; Ken Caminiti, San Diego; Royce Clayton, St. Louis; Steve Finley, San Diego; Andres Galarraga, Colorado; Tom Glavine, Atlanta; Ray Lankford, St. Louis; Greg Maddux, Atlanta; Denny Neagle, Atlanta.

* $25,000: Jeff Bagwell, Houston; Craig Biggio, Houston; Kevin Brown, Florida; Mark Grace, Chicago Cubs; Tony Gwynn, San Diego; Todd Hundley, New York Mets; Chipper Jones, Atlanta; Darryl Kile, Houston; Kenny Lofton, Atlanta; Javier Lopez, Atlanta; Larry Walker, Colorado.

* $15,000: Pedro Martinez, Montreal.

* $10,000: Moises Alou, Florida.

* NONE: Barry Bonds, San Francisco; Shawn Estes, San Francisco; Charles Johnson, Florida; Bobby Jones, New York Mets; Barry Larkin, Cincinnati; Mike Piazza, Dodgers; Curt Schilling, Philadelphia; Tony Womack, Pittsburgh.