Willie Mays' Bowman Contract

[samosa4u]

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...ng-to-auction/

This is the part that caught my attention:

The contract now at Heritage doesn’t include details that were included in Mantle’s pact indicating a $100 annual payment that was paid to most players who had signed with Bowman but it’s likely Mays would have been paid the same.

If those details were not included in the contract, then he probably didn't get it! I read many times that Afro-American athletes weren't paid sh*t back in those days, so did Bowman take advantage of him? What do you guys think?

[Volod]

Interesting. There are a few attorneys here, maybe someone will weigh in, but if it's not in the contract, don't see how Mays could get it. Do you suppose that could be the reason that Willie was so testy over the long haul?

[quitcrab]

I remember once seeing a hand written note from Mays to Topps/ Bowman ??? complaining that the toaster they gave him as a “signing bonus” was broke and he wanted replacement. I think it was in a REA auction years ago. Sorry for the lack of details .