
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 10, 1991                   TAG: 9104100230
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BASEBALL NOTES

The average baseball salary skyrocketed a record 49 percent this year to $891,188 on opening day, according to an Associated Press survey, and 223 players are making $1 million or more.

There are 123 players topping the $2 million level and 32 making $3 million or more. Last year, only Robin Yount of Milwaukee reached $3 million and 27 made $2 million or more on opening day.

Oakland leads with a payroll of $36,432,500 and an average salary of $1,349,352, an increase of $544,709 from the Athletics' 1990 average.

Houston has the lowest average at $487,090 and is the only club whose payroll decreased. The Astros averaged $681,664 last season, then pared their roster of most veterans.

The increase is dramatic even by baseball's standards. The largest previous percentage jump was 47.7 percent in 1977, the first year after free agency first was allowed. Last year, salaries increased 20.2 percent to $597,537, according to figures compiled by the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Dodgers outfielder Darryl Strawberry earns the most money this year at $3.8 million, and Giants teammates Kevin Mitchell and Will Clark are tied for second at $3.75 million. Toronto outfielder Joe Carter is fourth at $3,666,667 and Kansas City reliever Mark Davis is fifth at $3,625,000.

by CNB