Willie Hernandez’s net worth was estimated to be about $1.5 million at the time of his death. One of the great bullpen pitchers of his day made his riches largely from his professional baseball career. During the 1970s and 1980s, players were underpaid; but, as a top player, Willie was compensated handsomely. In addition, after retiring from his professional playing career, he owned and controlled various enterprises.
Guillermo Hernandez Villanueva, a late Puerto Rican baseball relief pitcher, was born as one of Dinicio and Dominga’s eight children. He started as a third baseman and outfielder before moving on to pitching. Hernandez was signed as an amateur free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1973 and played in the minor leagues before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 1976 Rule 5 draft. On March 24, 1984, the Phillies traded him to the Detroit Tigers, and the three-time All-Star led the Tigers to the World Series championship. Following his victory, he received the American League Cy Young Award as well as the American League Most Valuable Player Award.
Willie Hernandez Salary, Contract, And Income Net Worth
Willie Hernandez began his professional baseball career in the minor levels with the Philadelphia Phillies. He started for the Single-A Spartanburg Phillies, Double-A Reading Reading Phillies, and Triple-A Oklahoma City 89ers in the minor leagues. Minor league players were paid a pittance in the 1970s and 1980s. According to reports, the minimum compensation for minor-league players on big-league contracts was roughly $1000 per month. Given his exceptional throwing ability, Hernandez most certainly received a higher monthly salary, probably in the $2000-3000 area, considerably over the minimum wage.
Assuming identical rates, he should earn roughly $100,000 in his three years in the lower leagues, subtracting the $25,000 signing bonus. Later, when he joined the Cubs, his basic wage was roughly $19,000, which eventually grew to somewhere between $90,000 and $100,000. However, his pay with the Phillies for the 1983 season remains unknown. He began playing with the Tigers the following season. He signed a four-year, $4.65 million contract extension in January 1985. In the 1985 season, his compensation was $660,000, which increased to $960,000 in the 1986 season. His earnings significantly grew over the next several seasons, reaching $1,060,000 in 1987, $1,210,000 in 1988, and $1,310,000 in 1989.
Furthermore, after finishing his professional baseball career, he founded and ran a steel construction company in Puerto Rico. Hernandez then sold the construction firm and established a cattle ranch. These enterprises also brought him some money. Before his death, Guillermo Hernandez Villanueva was reported to have a net worth of $1.5 million.
Willie Hernandez He Died At The Age of 69
After a lengthy struggle with a heart disease, the 13-year big league veteran died at the age of 69. He was said to have had cardiac difficulties for almost 15 years. Hernandez almost died in 2007 while having a pacemaker implanted in his heart after throwing the opening pitch of the Tigers’ first season. Following his passing, Major League Baseball and his old club, the Detroit Tigers, expressed their sympathies on Twitter. They also expressed their condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and teammates.
