Impressive post-baseball careers?

Billy Sunday, considered one of the fastest players during his MLB career (1883-1890), realized his last name was "Sunday" and became a prominent Evangelist, likely had an influence in the establishment of Prohibition, remaining an avid baseball fan [went to see a game in the 1933 World Series two days before he died].

Mike Donlin (1899-1914) became a vaudeville actor who also appeared in at least two silent films.

Scott Patterson (1980-1986 in the minors) is now a somewhat notable actor (recurring roles on Gilmore Girls and the Saw franchise, along with one-time roles on numerous shows).

John Beradino (played 1939-1952) played Dr. Steve Hardy on General Hospital, and is the only person to have won a World Series [1948 Indians] and have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Conway Twitty was drafted by the Phillies, but was then drafted by the Army. When he came back, he went with Country music instead.

Charley Pride, another country star, pitched in the N.egro Leagues in 1952 and signed with the Yankees in 1953. He later went back to the N.egro Leagues and he and a teammate were traded to Montgomery for... a bus. After injury, he kept trying to get back into baseball for the next decade but eventually switched to Country music.

Robert Ripley, believe it or not [yes, "that" Ripley] played semi-pro ball from 1906 to 1908.

George Thorogood played semi-pro ball in the 1970s before becoming a musician.

And of course, Al Spalding went from the best pitcher of the 1870s to founder of a major sporting goods company.

Edit: There are also a lot of former ballplayers who ran for or were elected to minor political positions; for example, Tommy Byrne later became Mayor of Wake Forest, North Carolina, the town he basically spent his entire post-playing career in... but that's just Mayor of Wake Forest, North Carolina.

NFL veteran Jay Schroeder was originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the 1979 draft. Schroeder played on the Redskins, Raiders, Bengals and Cardinals and even won Super Bowl XXII with the Redskins 42 - 10 over John Elway's Broncos.

Dave DeBusschere was another two sport stand out whose claim to fame was Basketball but was signed as an amateur free agent by the White Stockings way back in 1962, he even threw a shut out against the Cleveland Indians.

Deion Sanders is another name I do not see mentioned here, went on to have a Hall of Fame career in the NFL

Bo Jackson, Brian Jordan and Vic Janowicz who was the first Heisman winner to play both MLB and in the NFL.

Hope this Helps, Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas.

While it is true that players salaries are exuberant now, if you review what the Bambino and the rest of these legendary players where making way back when you will see that they also were well compensated for playing a game which they loved. The Yahoo article that you reference here also states that Mr. Ruth made more than President Hoover, even without the added revenue from TV,Radio, Memorabilia etc as mentioned in Chipmakers post. So in reality what 80,000 could buy for you in the 1920 is not much more than what 33 million can buy you now. Don't let this article fool you these players lived a comfortable life.

If non-playing roles are acceptable, then there are numerous managers and GM's. Connie Mack, Leo Durocher, Casey Stengle, Tommy Lasorda, Joe Torre, etc...

Broadcasters: People seem to hate him, but Tim McCarver was more successful as a broadcater than as a ballplayer. Bob Uecker and Joe Garagiola.

Jackie Robinson, if I'm not mistaken, was a very successful businessman.

Danny Ainge

Can't overlook former MLB catcher, Tim McCarver, playoffs and World Series TV "analyst". McCarver is the recipient of the 2012 Ford C. Frick Award and is also now retired.

Pete Rose - a convicted felon for income tax evasion and professional autograph signer.

Joe DiMaggio, Mr. Coffee.

Scott boras

Johnny Beradino - an actor for many years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Berardino

Matt White - first billionaire baseball player(?) http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2007/news/stor... and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_White_(baseball)

Lee Maye - singer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Maye

Jim Lonborg - dentist. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lonborg

Orel, Nomar, and Harold Reynolds type of guys. I'm telling you about what I know. Lookig things up, tht'ats your job!!!