Kevin Brown
In back-to-back seasons, for two different teams, intensely competitive right-handed starter Kevin Brown got on a roll that carried his teams to the World Series. With the Florida Marlins in 1997, Brown won his last seven decisions in the regular season to help the Fish to their first post-season trip. He went on to earn two more wins in the League Championship Series, as Florida eventually won the World Series title. After being traded to the Padres, Brown won 11 consecutive games for his new team in the middle of 1998, helping San Diego to the playoffs. He won two more post-season games as he helped the Padres reach their second World Series. But Brown's frequent trips to the disabled list and his cranky personality, sabotaged some of his effectiveness throughout his much-traveled career. After he signed a record seven-year, $105 million contract with Los Angeles as a free agent in 1999, he became a favorite target for the boo-birds at Dodger Stadium when he won just 58 games in five years.
Quotes About Brown
"Kevin Brown pitches like Kirk Gibson ran the bases." — Jim Leyland
Played For
Texas Rangers (1986-1994)
Baltimore Orioles (1995)
Florida Marlins (1996-1997)
San Diego Padres (1998)
Los Angeles Dodgers (1999-2003)
New York Yankees (2004-2005)
Best Season: 1996
In his first season with the Marlins, Brown finally put all of his potential together, leading the National League with a 1.89 ERA. Unfortunately, his team rarely scored runs for him, and he finished with 11 losses, the Fish having scored just 11 runs in those defeats. He won 17 games and walked just 33 batters in 233 innings. As usual, Brown was difficult to homer off, as well.
Born
James Kevin Brown was born on March 14, 1965, in Milledgeville, GA.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: TEX
College: Georgia Tech
Major League Debut
September 30, 1986 ... Pitching at Arlington Stadium in Texas, Brown started against the A's. He went five innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits. His teammates scored seven runs in the third inning, staking him to his first big league win. The first batter Brown faced was Mike Davis. His first strikeout victim was Dwayne Murphy, and the frist batter to get a hit off of him was Jose Canseco.
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1986
Rafael Palmeiro
Barry Bonds
Fred McGriff
Barry Larkin
Bobby Bonilla
Ruben Sierra
Mark McGwire
Greg Maddux
David Cone
No-Hitter
6/10/1997: For LA (N) vs. SF (N), 9-0 at SF. 9 innings pitched.
Post-Season Appearances
1997 National League Championship Series
1997 National League Divisional Series
1997 World Series
1998 National League Championship Series
1998 National League Divisional Series
1998 World Series
The Pitches He Threw
Brown's most effective weapons were a heavy, sinking fastball, and a forkball that he learned from Dave Stewart.
Feats
Pitching for the Marlins, Brown hurled a 9-0 no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants, on June 10, 1997. Brown hit just one batter (in the eighth inning with two outs) and did not walk anyone... On July 16 of that same season, Brown hurled a one-hitter against the Dodgers.
Milestones
With the Yankees in 2004, Brown recorded his 200th career victory, on April 14, against Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium. Brown's first three starts that season all came against the Devil Rays, and he pitched seven innings and allowed one earned run in each contest. He won all three of the starts, but managed just seven more victories for the Yankees in his first season with the club.
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
Through the 2005 season, Brown had been on the disabled list 14 times in his career. Despite the many trips to the DL< Brown had missed just one full season (1987, when he was just 22 years old), and had managed to start at least 25 games in 13 different seasons. Most of the time, Brown missed 3-10 starts a season.
All-Star Selections
1992 AL
1996 NL
1997 NL
1998 NL
2000 NL
2003 NL
Replaced
Jose Guzman and Jeff Russell.
Best Strength as a Player
Ability to induce groundballs and saw off bats. He gave up few home runs.
Largest Weakness as a Player
His own temper.
Learn More about Kevin Brown
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