No.

Who was the highest paid MLB player in 1996?

Alex Rodriguez is the highest paid player and he's getting paid $32 million in 2011.

Johan Santana has the largest contract for a pitcher, with $132 million guaranteed for 6 years (an average of $22 million per year). He will make another $18.75 million if the Mets keep him for a seventh season, and $5.5 million if they do not.

The average salary of an MLB player in 1964 was 14,863 US dollars. 1964 was the first year salary statistics for MLB were recorded. The highest paid MLB player that year was Willie Mays who earned $105,000.