As a young man, what cowboy star was offered $100 a month to play shortstop for a professional base ball team? July 14, 2017 By Show answer Gene Autry. He turned down an offer from the Cardinal organization to play with its Tulsa farm team and kept his $150-a-month job as a railroad telegraph operator. years later, Autry became the owner of the California Angels. More Baseball QuestionsMore Sports Questions