Sports | baseball Braun Agrees to 8 Years, $45M Deal for 2007's NL Rookie of the Year is largest in Brewers history By Jesse Andrews Posted May 15, 2008 10:19 PM CDT Copied This Feb. 26, 2008 file photo shows Milwaukee Brewers baseball player Ryan Braun. The Milwaukee Brewers signed Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun to an eight-year, $45 million contract. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File) Ryan Braun grinned. He had just agreed to the largest contract in Milwaukee Brewers' history. "I really believe in the direction this franchise is headed," the NL Rookie of the Year said Thursday after his $45 million, eight-year deal was announced. "I'm extremely excited in our future." Braun's contract, which runs through 2015, replaces the $455,000, one-year renewal the Brewers gave him in spring training. It includes a $2.3 million bonus this season and could increase to $51 million through escalators. "How unreal is this?" said Braun's mother, Diane, who was looking on from the front row. Read These Next Gavin Newsom has filed a massive lawsuit against Fox News. Trumps ends trade talks with Canada. New York Times ranks the best movies of the 21st century. A man has been deported for kicking an airport customs beagle. Report an error