Following two disappointing seasons as a starter in 2012 and 2013, the Orioles chose to train him as a reliever in 2014.
That year, he had a 1.65 ERA, saved 37 games, and emerged as one of the American League’s most powerful relievers in the mid-to-late 2010s.
Britton was dealt to the New York Yankees in 2018 and began a new chapter as a late-inning star.
Injuries have forced him to slow down in recent years, and after not pitching at all in MLB in 2023, he has announced his retirement.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to live out my childhood dream over the last 12 years.” “Looking forward to the next chapter,” he tweeted, tagging his former teams, the Orioles and the Yankees, as well as his agent Scott Boras, the league, and the MLB Players Association.
As Britton stated, staying at the highest level for 12 seasons is a childhood goal for most MLB pitchers.
Not only did he manage to fulfill his, but he also did it extremely well.
He retires with a 3.13 ERA and 154 saves in his career.
Between 2014 and 2016, he was perhaps the finest and most efficient reliever in baseball.
He was a two-time All-Star and the 2016 AL Reliever of the Year.
Britton, who was also a player advocate, will be missed on the field.
There were few people like him.
