With the MLB postseason in full swing, no pun intended, I figured it’d be best to take a look at some of the salaries of the guys who are paid to make batters swing and miss—the pitchers! Over the past 25 years or so, there has been an uptick in salaries for every single professional athlete in every sport, but because pitching is what wins championships in baseball, teams put an extra emphasis on overpaying to get the best they can. So who are the hurlers who earned the most money in their MLB career from just salary alone? Some of these might have been expected, while a few others may shock you.
Photo: Adam Fagen/Flickr
No. 20 – Carlos Zambrano
Earnings: $113.9 million
One of the fiercest tempers in MLB history, former pitcher Carlos Zambrano had all the right stuff anytime he took the hill —but he had difficulty keeping his emotions in check. Still, “Big Z” got paid big-time for his potential, earning more than $113 million for the 132 wins he did earn in his 12 seasons.
Photo: Chris Lux/Flickr
No. 19 – Curt Schilling
Earnings: $114.1 million
He was, without question, one of the best pitchers in his day, but Curt Schilling seemed to save his best stuff when it really mattered—in the postseason. His Bloody Sock game in the 2004 ALCS is well-documented, but he also came up big even prior to that, helping lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a title in 2001. He’s a borderline Hall of Fame candidate, but will forever be remembered for the guts he often showed while on the hill.
Photo: Tingley/Flickr
No. 18 – Josh Beckett
Earnings: $116.4 million
He may have battled injuries the past few seasons, but Josh Beckett is still making some serious money. That’s because he signed a huge extension back in 2010 that saw him get paid $17 million over the past four seasons. The guy has proven to be great when healthy, but it’s a surprise that he’s making so much when he hasn’t been able to do that lately.
Photo: Keith Allison/Flickr
No. 17 – Mark Buehrle
Earnings: $118.9 million
While Mark Buehrle’s name might not be mentioned with some of the all-time best pitchers to ever take the hill, he has proven to be that much in his 15 years in the league thus far. Though he has never won a Cy Young Award, he has run off more than 10 victories in his 14 full MLB seasons, making him consistent as they come. For that reason, he has earned as much as $118 million, with a few more seasons left for him to pitch.
Photo: Brule Laker/Flickr
No. 16 – Mike Hampton
Earnings: $124.5 million
Of all the pitchers on this list, former lefty Mike Hampton might be the least likely to have found himself amongst some of these other greats. Still, his near $125 million in career earnings puts him in the top-20 most paid pitchers. An average player at best, Hampton enjoyed a couple of good seasons and cashed-in big time thanks to a mega-deal with the Colorado Rockies. Unfortunately, he was never able to return to form due to injuries and inconsistency.
Photo: Ginger G/Flickr
No. 15 – Tom Glavine
Earnings: $129.6 million
Former pitcher Tom Glavine was part of an Atlanta Braves team that had three future Hall of Famers on the staff, so it’s no wonder he got paid generously for his efforts. A Hall of Famer, Glavine won more than 300 games in his illustrious career, and did so without overpowering stuff or much hype. It goes to show that consistency takes guys a long way when they can put it all together.
Photo: Joe Schllp/Flickr
No. 14 – Kevin Brown
Earnings: $130.8 million
Former pitcher Kevin Brown was one of the toughest guys to ever pitch in the major leagues. Known for pitching with high intensity, Brown had a few good seasons which he was rewarded for with, at the time, the biggest contract ever given to a pitcher, when the L.A. Dodgers signed him in 1999. The deal was for $105 million, so the bulk of his earnings came from that one contract alone.
Photo: Daniel Jlang/Flickr
No. 13 – John Smoltz
Earnings: $135.6 million
One of the most unique pitchers of his generation, former Atlanta Braves starter John Smoltz didn’t just win over 200 games as a starter, but he also saved more than 150 as a closer, too. For that reason, he showed how versatile and valuable he was during his 21 seasons, likely becoming a Hall of Famer at some point, and earning more than $135 million, as well.
Photo: Ben Grey/Flickr
No. 12 – A.J. Burnett
Earnings: $135.7 million
Even after a 2014 season which saw pitcher A.J. Burnett lose a MLB-leading 18 games, the Pittsburgh Pirates are still on the hook to pay him $15 million this past season. Burnett is typically boom-or-bust with his stuff, yet that hasn’t stopped him from earning more than $135 million in his entire career, which has seen him go 155-150 with a 4.04 ERA.
Photo: Sports Crazy/Flickr
No. 11 – Barry Zito
Earnings: $137.2 million
Barry Zito may have had a good few seasons with the Oakland A’s early in his career, but he really battled inconsistency following a huge deal he struck with the San Francisco Giants prior to the 2007 season. With the pressure of earning more than $20 million at one point, Zito seemed to lose his stuff, yet still found himself winning two World Series rings with the Giants in his time there. After earning 165 wins in his career, he was paid more than $137 million.
Photo: Art Siegel/Flickr
No. 10 – Andy Pettitte
Earnings: $139.8 million
Arguably the best pitcher in MLB history when it came to the postseason, former New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte knew how to pitch on the biggest stages. He also wasn’t too bad during the regular season, either, though. With a career record of 256-153 and a 3.85 ERA in 18 seasons, Pettitte established himself as one of the most consistent pitchers of his era—winning five World Series rings in the process of making nearly $140 million.
Photo: Rachel Barr/Flickr
No. 9 – Mike Mussina
Earnings: $144.5 million
Former MLB pitcher Mike Mussina may have been one of the most consistent hurlers in his generation. Going 270-153 in his 18 seasons, it’s no wonder “The Moose” made such money throughout, with his biggest contract coming in 2000, when he inked a six-year, $87 million with the New York Yankees.
Photo: Willie Zhang/Flickr
No. 8 – Pedro Martinez
Earnings: $146.2 million
One of my all-time favorite pitchers, former player Pedro Martinez had a nasty streak about him that other players his size often lacked. He mixed that cockiness with unbelievable ability, making him one of the best in the game for years, and winning 219 games in his big league career. He may not get into the Hall of Fame, but he’ll be remembered for shutting down opponents at will, which led to such a handsome reward in salary.
Photo: Andrew Malone/Flickr
No. 7 – Roy Halladay
Earnings: $148.9 million
Even on a Toronto Blue Jays team that seemingly could never make the postseason, former pitcher Roy Halladay remained one of the best pitchers in the game. Winning two Cy Young Awards in his career, “Doc” may not have strung together a Hall of Fame worthy career, but if you ask opposing batters, he was just as good. For that reason, he was paid like the ace that he was, earning nearly $150 million in his career.
Photo: James Patterson/Flickr
No. 6 – Roger Clemens
Earnings: $150.6 million
Roger Clemens will probably be remembered for being linked to PEDs, but there’s no denying that during his career, the guy was an absolute stud—even if it was all for nought. With over 300 wins, Clemens was to MLB that Brett Favre was to the NFL, a blue-collar worker who dominated his opponents. With seven Cy Young Awards, it’s no wonder “The Rocket” was paid more than $150 million in his career.
Photo: Dan Long/Flickr
No. 5 – Greg Maddux
Earnings: $153.8 million
Much like some of his aforementioned teammates, Greg Maddux was part of a three-headed monster on the rotation of the Atlanta Braves in the mid-90s—and he was arguably the best of the bunch. Precise in his accuracy and in hitting his spots, Maddux won 355 games and, at one point, four-straight NL Cy Young Awards, making him one of the best hurlers in his generation. And he got paid accordingly.
Photo: jjbou/Flickr
No. 4 – Johan Santana
Earnings: $161.4 million
Prior to arm troubles, Johan Santana was the most lethal pitcher in the game, as he blended a mid-90s fastball with a devastating change-up that hitters couldn’t adjust to. Winning two Cy Young Awards in his prime, Santana was rewarded with a gigantic deal from the New York Mets in 2008, which would pay him as much as $25 million in the final season of that deal—which was 2013. For that reason, it’s no surprise to see him make as much as he did during his career.
Photo: Keith Allison/Flickr
No. 3 – CC Sabathia
Earnings: $169.3 million
One of my all-time favorite pitchers, New York Yankees hefty lefty CC Sabathia had shown great consistency and worth after signing a mega-deal with the Yanks back in 2009. Earning no less than $23 million after that first season in New York, Sabathia has found himself battling injuries the past two years, with question marks on his return date. Still, he has cashed-in on what he has done so far, which has included a Cy Young and World Series title.
Photo: Keith Allison/Flickr
No. 2 – Mariano Rivera
Earnings: $169.4 million
Don’t think that starters are the only ones who make serious money, because former New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera shows that relievers can make bank, too. That’s what happens when you’re the most dominating closer in the MLB history, setting numerous MLB records and winning five World Series titles. Sure, “Mo” never won a Cy Young Award or pitched a complete game, but that didn’t stop him from walking away from the game as a very, wealthy man.
Photo: Keith Allison/Flickr
No. 1 – Randy Johnson
Earnings: $175.5 million
No doubt, during his heyday, former pitcher Randy Johnson was the most lethal left-hander in the majors. With a combination of a nasty slide and a high-90s fastball, the 6’10” Johnson was both an intimidating presence while standing on the mound, and had the game to back it up. For that reason, he made more than $175 million in his soon-to-be Hall of Fame career.
Photo: SD_Dirk/Flickr
