Jan. 30, 1963 - Don Drysdale (pictured left with Tommy Davis and Sandy Koufax), baseball’s top pitcher in 1962, signed a $45,000 contract today, making him the highest-paid hurler in Dodger history. Buzzie Bavasi, general manager, said this was exceeded on the club only by the $48,000 drawn by catcher Roy Campanella in 1956. This represented a $10,000 raise for the 26-year-old Drysdale, who led the majors with 25 victories while losing 9 last year. He also was the leader in strikeouts, innings pitched, and games started. He received the Cy Young Award as the year’s best pitcher. Drysdale stands to make almost $100,000 in 1963, associates say. He has investments in a restaurant, real estate, a boys’ camp, and miscellaneous stocks. He expects added income from endorsements and recordings of four songs he is making this week. The 6-foot-6-inch baritone is crooning the numbers for Reprise Records, Frank Sinatra’s company, following a four-week nightclub engagement in Las Vegas. Drysdale, Maury Wills, Willie Davis, Sandy Koufax, Duke Snider, and Frank Howard constituted the Dodger sextet that appeared at the Desert Inn. The group will reunite at Miami’s Fontainebleau Hotel Feb. 14-24.
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