Kevin Brown: Money Pitcher

Big Contracts

Baseball contracts worth $40 million or more. Figures were obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources and include all guaranteed income but not income from potential incentive bonuses. There is no distinction for money deferred without interest: *--*

Player, Club Years Avg. Salary Kevin Brown, LA 1999-05 $105,000,000 Mike Piazza, NYM 1999-05 $91,000,000 Bernie Williams, NYY 1999-05 $87,500,000 Mo Vaughn, Ana 1999-04 $80,000,000 Pedro Martinez, Bos 1998-03 $75,000,000 Gary Sheffield, LA 1998-03 $68,500,000 Albert Belle, Bal 1999-03 $65,000,000 Greg Maddux, Atl 1998-02 $57,500,000 Randy Johnson, Ari 1999-02 $52,400,000 Matt Williams, Ari 1999-03 $45,000,000 Rafael Palmeiro, Tex 1999-03 $45,000,000 Barry Bonds, SF 1993-98 $43,750,000 Sammy Sosa, Cubs 1998-01 $42,500,000 Ivan Rodriguez, Tex 1998-02 $42,000,000 Brian Jordan, Atl 1999-03 $40,000,000

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Salary Milestones

Milestone contracts in baseball history, as obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources. Figures include all guaranteed income but not income from potential incentive bonuses. There is no distinction for money deferred without interest:

* Nov. 19, 1979: Nolan Ryan, Hou, $1 million a year for four seasons

* Feb. 7, 1982: George Foster, NYM, $2.04 million a year for five seasons

* Nov. 22, 1989: Kirby Puckett, Min, $3 million a year for three seasons

* June 27, 1990: Jose Canseco, Oak, $4.7 million a year for five seasons

* Feb. 8, 1991: Roger Clemens, Bos, $5,380,250 a year for four seasons

* March 2, 1992: Ryne Sandberg, Cubs, $7.1 million a year for four seasons

* Jan. 31, 1996: Ken Griffey Jr., Sea, $8.5 million a year for four seasons

* Nov. 19, 1996: Albert Belle, WSox, $11 million a year for five seasons

* Dec. 12, 1997: Pedro Martinez, Bos, $12.5 million a year for six seasons

* Oct. 26, 1998: Mike Piazza, NYM, $13 million a year for seven seasons

* Dec. 12, 1998: Kevin Brown, LA, $15 million a year for seven seasons

Minimum, Average Salaries

Average baseball salary, as compiled by the Major League Baseball Players Assn. , and the minimum salary. Beginning in 1979, salary deferrals without interest are discounted at 9% per year. For 1987-97, signing bonuses are increased at 9% per year: *--*

Year Minimum Average 1967 $6,000 $19,000 1968 $10,000 NA 1969 $10,000 $24,909 1970 $12,000 $29,303 1971 $12,750 $31,543 1972 $13,500 $34,092 1973 $15,000 $36,566 1974 $15,000 $40,839 1975 $6,000 $44,676 1976 $19,000 $51,501 1977 $19,000 $76,066 1978 $21,000 $99,876 1979 $21,000 $113,558 1980 $30,000 $143,756 1981 $32,500 $185,651 1982 $33,500 $241,497 1983 $35,000 $289,194 1984 $40,000 $329,408 1985 $60,000 $371,571 1986 $60,000 $412,520 1987 $62,500 $412,454 1988 $62,500 $438,729 1989 $68,000 $497,254 1990 $100,000 $597,537 1991 $100,000 $851,492 1992 $109,000 $1,028,667 1993 $109,000 $1,076,089 1994 $109,000 $1,168,263 1995 $109,000 $1,110,766 1996 $122,667 $1,119,981 1997 $150,000 $1,336,609 1998 $155,000 $1,444,771

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