first DJ didn't make out the lineup - he was willing to play. Second players back then had to play or they didn't get paid. No guaranteed contracts or money - contracts were year by year depending on performance. I remember after his Triple Crown in '56 Mantle received a big raise for '57 but when his numbers were solid iin '57 but lower so the contract sent to him for '58 was a big pay cut. You can't compare the different generations of players - the game has changed so much since I started watching in '51.