MLB is saying goodbye to one of the best relievers of the 2010s decade: Zack Britton.
The left-hander announced via Twitter that it’s time for him to hang up his cleats after an amazing 12-year career at the highest level.
He pitched for two teams as an MLB player: the Baltimore Orioles, where he was as a starter and then transitioned to relieving, and the New York Yankees.
The O’s traded him to New York in 2018.
He pitched in the Bronx until 2022, but major surgery got in his way and he couldn’t get all the way back to his former self.
Despite some minor offers in 2023, he didn’t pitch at all in the majors and opted to start a new chapter in his life.
The classy Orioles had a farewell message to their former star.
“Congrats to Zack Britton on his retirement from baseball after an incredible career! Wishing you all the best in your next chapter,” the Orioles tweeted.
Congrats to Zack Britton on his retirement from baseball after an incredible career!
Wishing you all the best in your next chapter
pic.twitter.com/qB6g6q4tub
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) November 20, 2023
It was, indeed, an excellent career.
He is retiring with a 3.13 ERA and 154 saves.
At his peak, he was a true force.
He even had one of the most memorable and dominant relief seasons in recent history with the O’s in 2016, posting a 0.54 ERA and saving 47 for Baltimore.
Britton had the exact same ERA he had in the regular season during postseason play: 3.13 in 23 innings.
He was dependable, he was effective, and he threw one of the meanest sinkers baseball in recent history, helping him boast ground-ball percentages over 60 percent.
A true gamer is saying goodbye, and his first MLB team is making sure he feels the love of their fans.
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