Baseball’s Average Pay Tops $2 Million

Baseball’s average salary broke the $2-million barrier for the first time last season, and the New York Yankees led the major leagues with an average of nearly $4 million.

The final average salary of a major league player in 2001 was $2,138,896, according to final figures released Wednesday by the Major League Baseball Players Association. That was up 12.8 percent from last year’s average of $1,895,630--the lowest rate of increase since 1998.

Still, baseball passed the $2-million mark just nine years after reaching the $1-million mark. Twenty-five years ago, in the last season before free agency, the average was $51,501.

The Yankees, who won their fourth consecutive American League pennant but failed to win the World Series for the first time since 1997, paid an average of $3,930,334 to the 31 players on their Aug. 31 roster and disabled list.

The Yankees had the highest average for the third consecutive year and the seventh time in eight seasons.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, who rallied to beat the Yankees in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series, were ninth at $2,701,205.

Seven of the eight playoff teams were among the top 12 in average salary.

Minnesota and Montreal, the teams most likely targeted for elimination by Commissioner Bud Selig, had the two lowest averages for the second consecutive season: $1,128,470 for the Twins and $926,333 for the Expos.

The Dodgers, who finished third in the National League West, were second in average salary at $3,755,511.

Money Players

A look at the highest played Major League players by position:

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Pos. Player, Team Years Avg. Salary SS Alex Rodriguez, Texas 2001-10 $25,200,000 RF Manny Ramirez, Boston 2001-08 $20,000,000 1B Jeff Bagwell, Houston 2002-06 $17,000,000 RHP x-Roger Clemens, N.Y. Yankees 2001-02 $15,450,000* LHP Mike Hampton, Colorado 2001-08 $15,125,000 3B **-Chipper Jones, Atlanta 2001-06 $15,000,000 C Mike Piazza, N.Y. Mets 1999-05 $13,000,000 CF Ken Griffey Jr., Cincinnati 2000-08 $12,944,444 LF Gary Sheffield, Dodgers 1999-2004 $9,916,667 2B Craig Biggio, Houston 2000-03 $7,750,000

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Figures were obtained by the Associated Press from player , and management sources and include all guaranteed income but not income from potential incentive bonuses. There is no distinction for money deferred without interest.

*-average salary includes deferred signing bonus. **-moves to left field next season.

Pay Check

Average baseball alary as compiled by the Major League Baseball Players Association and the minimum salary: