In 1999, the Dodgers signed highly successful pitcher Kevin Brown to a 7-year contract making him the first $100 million man in baseball. His contract included a clause allowing him to fly in a private plane to games. Enrique Rojas of ESPN called the contract “one of the worst deals ever from a team’s point of view”.
He was constantly injured and only averaged 9 wins per year over the 7 seasons. After a good first season, where he won 18 games, the injuries started. Record-setting after that year was 14 in 2003.
After 5 seasons, the Dodgers traded Brown to the Yankees. In two seasons with the Yankees, he won only 14 games. Later, Brown’s name was listed in the Mitchell Report for steroid use from 2001–2003.
Given the record setting amount of the contract, the Dodgers got an ace pitcher who never won more than 18 games in a season. Over the 7 years, he averaged only 9 wins per season. This was a record-setting Swing Badder contract.