Earlier this month the Houston Astros clinched the first World Series title in franchise history with a Game 7 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Those Astros players will never have to pay for another meal in Houston again.
In addition to the glory of being part of the first championship team in franchise history, Astros players and personnel get another nice perk: cold hard cash. On Monday, Major League Baseball announced the 'Stros will split a record $30,420,155.57 in postseason pool money. Last year the Cubs split a then record $27,586,017.75.
Here are some details on the postseason pool money, via MLB's press release:
The players' pool is formed from 50 percent of the gate receipts from the Wild Card Games; 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first three games of the Division Series; 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first four games of the League Championship Series; and 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first four games of the World Series. The players' pool was divided among the 10 Postseason Clubs: the two World Series participants, the two League Championship Series runners-up, the four Division Series runners-up and the two runners-up in the Wild Card Games. The 2017 players' pool was a record total of $84,500,432.15, eclipsing last year's $76,627,827.09.
Now here is the postseason shares breakdown by team.
Team | Finish | Total Pool | Full Share Amount | Shares Voted |
Houston Astros | Won World Series | $30,420,155.57 | $438,901.57 | 60 full shares, 9.23 partial shares, 4 cash awards |
Los Angeles Dodgers | Lost World Series | $20,280,103.72 | $259,722.14 | 65 full shares, 12.768 partial shares, 14 cash awards |
Lost ALCS | $10,140,051.86 | $138,897.63 | 57 full shares, 15.01 partial shares | |
Chicago Cubs | Lost NLCS | $10,140,051.86 | $133,159.02 | 68 full shares, 7.5 partial shares, 6 cash awards |
Lost NLDS | $2,746,264.04 | $40,976.78 | 59 full shares, 7.849 partial shares | |
Lost NLDS | $2,746,264.04 | $36,868.74 | 61 full shares, 10.522 partial shares, 16 cash awards | |
Lost ALDS | $2,746,264.04 | $36,782.68 | 62 full shares, 8.584 partial shares, 9 cash awards | |
Lost ALDS | $2,746,264.04 | $36,438.21 | 65 full shares, 10.01 partial shares, 6 cash awards | |
Lost AL Wild Card Game | $1,267,506.48 | $18,990.36 | 62 full shares, 2.5 partial shares, 35 cash awards | |
Lost NL Wild Card Game | $1,267,506.48 | $18,878.74 | 52 full shares, 15.139 partial shares |
Keep in mind the postseason pool money isn't for the players only. Shares are given to the coaching staff and other members of the team. For most players, a postseason share is a drop in the bucket given their annual income. For others like the clubhouse and video staff, it's a financial windfall.
