First athlete to reach $1 million per year

David Parker of the Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to a $5 million contract in 1978 that would keep him with the team for five seasons, from 1979 to 1983. This gave him the opportunity to proclaim that he was the first professional athlete to earn $1 million year for his services. Although in actuality a large portion of the payment was deferred, on paper he looked to have received that sum. Parker can thus lay claim to becoming the first million-dollar athlete in professional sports. Yet others also do.

Nolan Ryan agreed to a $1,125,000 salary when he joined with the Houston Astros in 1980, but he also deferred $250,000 until the end of his deal in 1984. Ryan became the first athlete to actually receive $1 million, actually a little bit more when incentives are taken into account, thanks to a signing bonus that offset the sum. David Winfield earned $1.4 million in 1981, making him the highest-paid player in baseball.

The world has evolved. Trevor Bauer receives a yearly salary of $38 million in 2021. He is entitled to an additional $2 million if he decides to forego the final two years of his deal. Pitchers in the major leagues start 34 games on average each year. Thus, Bauer makes more than $1 million per each time he takes the mound.