In just a few more weeks now the boys of summer will start arriving in Florida and Arizona for spring training. For the veterans it will be a time for getting the kinks out and preparing for the very long season ahead. For the invitees and marginal players it may be their one and only time in a major league environment. For sure most of these will leave with only the memories to take with them, but for some the hope of capturing some magic, and impressing those who matter and hold their future in their hands, it is a time of hope, praying, and playing the hardest they have ever played. Because reaching the major leagues is a plateau not reached by very many in this world. The skill level is too high, so only the very best make it to the top. But if you do make it to the top, the monatary rewards can be fabulous. Check below to see what the very best have made in their careers thus far and you will see why running through fences is a very viable option for some.



List of highest paid baseball players

Salary over entire career
The following chart lists the Major League Baseball players who have earned the greatest total salary over their career (through the end of 2006 and not including bonuses).

1. $172,711,352 - Barry Bonds
2. $147,707,727 - Alex Rodriguez
3. $143,348,927 - Randy Johnson
4. $133,845,000 - Greg Maddux
5. $133,251,000 - Roger Clemens (est. $12.25 million for 2006)
6. $130,890,502 - Kevin Brown (retired)
7. $130,624,340 - Ken Griffey, Jr.
8. $129,766,173 - Gary Sheffield
9. $128,134,019 - Jeff Bagwell
10. $126,311,965 - Manny Ramirez
11. $123,568,000 - Sammy Sosa
12. $122,392,167 - Mike Mussina
13. $120,444,000 - Pedro Martinez
14. $118,030,000 - Derek Jeter
15. $113,139,293 - Tom Glavine
16. $111,676,002 - Mike Piazza
17. $110,363,431 - Larry Walker (retired)
18. $108,095,446 - John Smoltz
19. $103,799,000 - Carlos Delgado
20. $103,100,001 - Bernie Williams
21. $100,405,001 - Mo Vaughn (retired)
22. $ 97,376,294 - Albert Belle (retired)
23. $ 93,461,668 - Jim Thome
24. $ 93,158,000 - Curt Schilling
25. $ 92,885,467 - Chipper Jones
26. $ 92,126,410 - Ivan Rodriguez
27. $ 92,075,086 - Mike Hampton
28. $ 91,116,066 - Shawn Green
29. $ 89,295,996 - Rafael Palmeiro (retired)
30. $ 87,037,500 - Juan Gonzalez (retired)
31. $ 86,514,000 - Frank Thomas
32. $ 81,756,945 - Chan Ho Park
33. $ 78,860,000 - Matt Williams (retired)
34. $ 78,467,500 - Barry Larkin (retired)
35. $ 78,201,854 - Jason Giambi
36. $ 77,015,500 - Craig Biggio
37. $ 76,603,815 - Roberto Alomar (retired)
38. $ 76,082,416 - Andy Pettitte
39. $ 74,688,354 - Mark McGwire (retired)
40. $ 74,030,125 - Mariano Rivera
41. $ 73,706,500 - Andruw Jones
42. $ 70,983,474 - Moises Alou
43. $ 70,677,500 - Tim Salmon
44. $ 69,850,001 - Cal Ripken, Jr. (retired, no data available for 1981-1984)
45. $ 68,243,667 - John Olerud (retired)
45. $ 68,100,100 - Al Leiter (retired)
46. $ 68,010,367 - Jim Edmonds
47. $ 67,436,500 - Jeff Kent
50. $ 67,430,000 - Vladimir Guerrero
51. $ 67,151,344 - Steve Finley
52. $ 67,135,000 - Robin Ventura (retired)
53. $ 66,947,501 - David Cone (retired)
54. $ 66,665,500 - Kenny Rogers
55. $ 66,470,000 - Raul Mondesi (retired)
56. $ 65,860,818 - Fred McGriff (retired)
57. $ 65,743,750 - Kevin Appier (retired)
58. $ 65,504,063 - Chuck Finley (retired)