This is the kind of incentive players got in the 50's.
Featured above is a September 30, 1950 press photo from the Associated Press showing Dodger manager Burt Shotton hand-feeding hurler Erv Palica after a complete game victory against the Phillies. It was the second to last game of the season, and Brooklyn was two games behind Philadelphia for the National League pennant. Palica's effort lowered the deficit to just one game, and the last deciding game would be the next day against the Phillies in Brooklyn. Unfortunately, Don Newcombe couldn't hold off the inevitable. Newk would lose the game after being bested by Robin Roberts.