1988 St. Lucie Mets Kevin D. Brown

Who is this? Kevin D. Brown, a former pitcher for the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners

What is this? An autographed card from the 1988 St. Lucie Mets team set

Where'd I get it? Nearly two years ago, I wrote to Brown and asked him to sign it. I got it back yesterday.

How much did it cost? I don't remember, so let's say $1 for the card and postage.

Why is this so special? Kevin Brown spent parts of three seasons in the Major Leagues, retiring with a 3-5 record and a 4.82 ERA.

Brown made his big league debut in relief of Frank Viola on July 27th, 1990 at Shea Stadium. The Mets were cruising to a 10-1 victory, and Brown came on to start the ninth inning. After surrendering a leadoff walk to Ozzie Smith, Brown retired Craig Wilson, Tom Pagnozzi and Todd Zeile to end the game.

He pitched for the Mets one more time, on Aug. 1, 1990 in a 6-4 win over the Expos at Olympic Stadium. Brown came on in relief of a tiring Ron Darling with the score 4-1 in Montreal's favor.

Brown got Jerry Goff to ground out to start the seventh. The pitcher, Zane Smith, reached on a rare error by shortstop Kevin Elster. Delino DeShields flew out, but then things started to get a little too interesting. Dave Martinez singled, giving the Expos runners on first and second with Tim Raines coming to bat. Raines singled to left, but Smith overran third base and Kevin McReynolds threw him out to end the inning.

And that was the end of Kevin D. Brown's Mets career. In September, he would be traded to Milwaukee to complete the trade for catcher Charlie O'Brien. He started a few games for the Brewers that September and showed some promise, but he lost his spot in the rotation the next year.

In 1992, the Mariners claimed Brown off waivers just before Opening Day. He appeared in just two games for Seattle. Brown spent a few more seasons in the minors, but he retired after the 1995 season.

According to his Wikipedia profile, Brown is currently a pastor at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Sacramento, California.

Brown has a nice, artistic signature... but I'm glad I don't have to try to decipher it.