Koufax 's new salary was nearly the same as that of Willie Mays and thus began the era that led to the mind - boggling salaries star players receive today .
Willie Mays is the best - paid man in baseball .
Koufax 's new salary was nearly the same as that of Willie Mays , the best - paid man in baseball , and thus began the era that led to the mind - boggling salaries star players receive today .