Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 19, 1991 TAG: 9102190072
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The New York Times
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Bo Jackson, whose offensive production last season did not compare with that of the Pittsburgh Pirates' terrific twosome, opted Monday to forgo his arbitration hearing, which had been scheduled for today, and emerged with $75,000 more than Bonds and only $25,000 less than Bonilla for the 1991 season.
Jackson and the Kansas City Royals agreed to a $2,375,000 salary, making him the 25th player who filed for salary arbitration this year to receive a raise of $1 million or more. Last season, he had a $1 million salary, the result of an arbitration loss.
Bonds and Bonilla, who also lost in arbitration a year ago, came back for more this year and lost again. Bonds, the National League most valuable player, will play for $2.3 million, and Bonilla, who has been in the major leagues a season and a half longer than Jackson, will earn $2.4 million.
Last season, Jackson batted .272, hit 28 home runs and drove in 78 runs. Bonds batted .301 with 33 home runs and 114 runs batted in. Bonilla batted .280 with 32 home runs and 120 RBI.
"He's improved every year, and we believe he will continue to get better," Kansas City general manager Herk Robinson said.
In other settlements, Cleveland right-hander Eric King agreed to $1.45 million, a $995,000 raise; Chicago outfielder Dan Pasqua agreed to $800,000, a $425,000 raise, and Atlanta outfielder Oddibe McDowell agreed to $925,000, a $235,000 raise.
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB