"Salary arbitration at the time was still fairly new to the league. It was first agreed to be added to the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in 1972 after players went on strike. The following season, owners locked out the players over the issue. They ultimately agreed arbitration would begin after a player was in the league for two consecutive seasons."
"The southpaw had already established himself as one of MLB's premiere pitchers, posting ERAs of 2.48 and 2.87 with nearly 500 innings pitched across the two seasons and starting what became known as "Fernandomania." Valenzuela also was named the National League Cy Young Award winner in 1981, along with the NL's Rookie of the Year, so he was due for a significant raise."
"The $1 million Valenzuela received was almost double the average player salary of $520,839 during the 1983 season, and more than 28 times the minimum salary of $35,000. During the 1983 season, Valenzuela ended up taking a step back from his previous two years as he pitched to a 3.75 ERA, but he still managed to throw 257 innings over 35 starts."
Fernando Valenzuela received a $1 million salary via arbitration on Feb. 19, 1983, after two standout seasons in 1981–82. Salary arbitration had been added to the CBA in 1972 and applied after two consecutive major-league seasons. Valenzuela’s early-career performance included ERAs of 2.48 and 2.87, nearly 500 innings, the 1981 Cy Young and Rookie of the Year honors, and the rise of Fernandomania. His $1 million pay greatly exceeded the 1983 average and minimum salaries. Valenzuela threw 257 innings with a 3.75 ERA in 1983, stayed with the Dodgers seven more seasons, and later finished his career after several team stops. Also on Feb. 19, the Dodgers announced Don Newcombe died at 92 and was remembered as a role model for major leaguers.
Read at Dodger Blue
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