In February 1987, pitcher Orel Hershiser signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $800,000, taking a 20% pay cut due to decreased performance the previous season. His performance in 1985 was exceptional, but a slump in 1986 led to this rare pay reduction during salary arbitration. Despite an improved season in 1987, it was his outstanding 1988, where he pitched 267 innings and led the Dodgers to a championship, that positioned him as MLB’s highest-paid player, prompting a record arbitration request.
Orel Hershiser's salary arbitration case in 1987 marked a significant moment in MLB, being only the second instance of a player accepting a pay cut due to arbitration.
Hershiser's performance fluctuations from a stellar 1985 season to 1986's decline contributed to a maximum allowable salary reduction of 20%, as defined by MLB's arbitration rules.
After an impressive 1988 season culminating in a World Series win, Hershiser became baseball's highest-paid player, dramatically increasing his earning potential through arbitration.
Despite a pay cut in 1987, Hershiser's career trajectory turned as he excelled in 1988, leading to a record-setting arbitration request for $2.425 million.
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