When we watch ballplayers on television, often times it's difficult not see them simply as wealthy athletes that get paid substantial sums to play a game for a living. Major League Baseball is in the midst of an economic windfall that has never been seen before as increasingly lucrative television contracts and other revenue streams have lead to ballooning payrolls and player salaries across the league.
Unfortunately for the majority of the players in Major League Baseball, getting rich playing the game simply isn't a reality. A study published in the New York Times back in 2007 found that the average MLB career lasts about 5.