Perhaps the wealthiest ball player of his era, Bob’s salary was nonetheless miniscule by today’s standard.

1) same
2) Although Bob Ruth was perhaps the wealthiest ball player of his era, his salary was nonetheless miniscule by today’s standard.
3) Perhaps the wealthiest ball player of his era, but Bob has a nonetheless miniscule salary by today’s standard.

Here isn't the option 2 wrong here because we are comparing Bob Ruth in the first half of the sentence with his salary in the second half.