Twenty years ago on Aug. 10, 1997, the Atlanta Braves signed legendary MLB pitcher Greg Maddux to a five-year, $57.5 million deal.
The contract, which guaranteed $11.5 million, made Maddux the highest-paid player in baseball.
While there was little haggling during negotiations from the Braves or Maddux, Maddux’s agent Scott Boras said the deal wouldn't have happened if pitching wasn't in such high demand in 1997.
''This deal doesn't happen if there wasn't a shortage of pitching,'' Boras said, according to The New York Times. ''Our industry is starved for pitching.''
Before Maddux, who played 10 of his 23 major league seasons with the Chicago Cubs, became the highest-paid player, Barry Bonds had baseball's highest salary— a two-year deal that paid $11.45 million a year, according to the New York Times.
In 11 seasons with the Braves from 1993-2003, Maddux had an overall record of 194-88, an ERA of 2.64 and allowed 845 hits with 383 walks and 1,828 strikeouts.
Below are highlights from Oct. 21, 1996 in Game 2 of the World Series when Maddux pitched eight innings of shutout ball to beat the New York Yankees 4-0 at Yankee Stadium.
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