Thirty-nine years ago today, the California Angels signed free agent Rick Burleson to a six-year contract worth $4.2 million, which, at the time, made him the highest-paid shortstop in the major leagues. Burleson was set to make $125,000 on the option year of his existing contract had he not found new terms.
The Angels acquired Burleson, along with Clell “Butch” Hobson, the previous December from the Red Sox in exchange for Mark Clear, Carney Lansford and Rick Miller. Burleson had threatened to leave Boston if they didn’t increase his salary, leading to the trade and eventual contract agreement with the Halos.