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| name = Zack Britton
| image = Zach Britton (43358963595).jpg
| caption = Britton with the
| team =
| number =
| position = [[Pitcher]]
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| debutyear = 2011
| debutteam = Baltimore Orioles
|finaldate=September 30
|finalyear=2022
|finalteam=New York Yankees
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label = [[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
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}}
'''Zackary Grant Britton''' (born December 22, 1987), known professionally as '''Zach Britton''' until February 2019,<ref>{{cite news |title=Yankees reliever Zack Britton drops 'H' in first name in favor of 'K' |url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25945370/yankees-reliever-zack-britton-drops-h-first-name-favor-k |access-date=February 12, 2019 |work=ESPN.com |date=February 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Yankees reliever Zack Britton now using legal spelling of first name |url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25974959/yankees-reliever-zack-britton-now-using-legal-spelling-first-name |access-date=February 12, 2019 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=February 11, 2019}}</ref> is a former professional baseball pitcher
Britton graduated from [[Weatherford High School (Texas)|Weatherford High School]] in Texas and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the third round of the [[2006 MLB draft]]. Initially a [[starting pitcher]], Britton converted to a [[closer (baseball)|closer]] and led the [[American League]] in saves in 2016 and was named to the AL All-Star team in 2015 and 2016. From September 20, 2015 to August 23, 2017, Britton converted 60 straight [[save (baseball)|saves]], an American League record.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bs-sp-orioles-britton-20170824-story.html |title=Zach Britton's AL-record save streak ended by Athletics; closer will have MRI on knee |publisher=Baltimore Sun |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=January 6, 2019}}</ref> The Orioles traded Britton to New York during the 2018 season.
==Early years==
Britton, the youngest of three brothers, was raised in [[Santa Clarita, California]].<ref name="kvvalkenburgtbs">{{cite web|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-britton-0426-20110425,0,4663452,full.story |author=Van Valkenburg, Kevin|title=Great find and terrible loss have buoyed Orioles' Britton|work=The Baltimore Sun|date= April 26, 2011 |access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref> His
Britton's family moved to [[Texas]], and Britton transferred to [[Weatherford High School (Texas)|Weatherford High School]]. He was an all-state [[outfielder]] for the baseball team and also pitched.<ref name="kvvalkenburgtbs" /><ref name="bghirolimlbcom">{{cite web|url=http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110415&content_id=17805926&vkey=news_bal&c_id=bal |author=Ghiroli, Brittany|title=Britton beats the odds, boost O's|work=MLB.com|date= April 15, 2011 |access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref> Britton was offered an [[athletic scholarship]] to attend [[Texas A&M University]].<ref name="bghirolimlbcom" />
==Professional career==
===Baltimore Orioles===
The [[Baltimore Orioles]] selected Britton in the third round, with the 85th overall
Before the 2010 season, Britton was
====2011====
[[File:Zach Britton 2011.jpg|thumb|Britton with the [[2011 Baltimore Orioles season|Orioles in 2011]]]]
Even though
Britton showcased his batting prowess during his first experience with [[interleague play]]. His five [[hit (baseball)|hits]] in eight [[at-bat]]s were the most by any [[American League|American League (AL)]] pitcher in 2011.<ref name="greatbritton!">{{cite web|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-notebook-0704-20110703,0,3028415.story |author=Zrebiec, Jeff|title=Orioles' Britton shows off his power stroke|work=The Baltimore Sun|date= July 4, 2011|access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref> His first major league hit and [[run batted in|run batted in (RBI)]] came on a [[double (baseball)|double]] off [[Jason Marquis]] in the fourth inning of an 8–4 defeat to the [[Washington Nationals]] at [[Nationals Park]] on June 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20646576/ |title=Britton notches first big league hit and RBI|work=MLB.com|date=June 17, 2011 |access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref> He hit his first big league [[home run]] off [[Brandon Beachy]] in the third inning of a 5–4 victory over the [[Atlanta Braves]] at [[Turner Field]] on July 3.<ref name="greatbritton!"/>
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====2017====
Britton earned his first save of the season in a 3-1 Orioles victory over the Toronto Blue Jays during the second game of the season. It was his 50th consecutive converted save dating back to October 1, 2015. He also became just the fifth pitcher in MLB history to [[Save (baseball)#Most consecutive|convert at least 50 consecutive save opportunities]]. Two days later, Britton shut the door on the Yankees to seal a 6–5 victory, helping the Orioles advance to 3–0 on the year. He tied [[José Valverde]] for fourth-most consecutive save opportunities converted with 51. He also tied former Orioles closer [[Jim Johnson (baseball, born 1983)|Jim Johnson]] for second most career saves in franchise history, with 122. The very next night, Britton converted his third save of the season and 52nd in a row, tying him for third most all-time with [[Jeurys Familia]]. He also took sole possession of 2nd on the Orioles all-time list with his 123rd. Britton earned his fourth save of the season against the Blue Jays on April 13. The save was also his 53rd consecutive converted save, which moved him into sole possession of third place on the all-time list of consecutive saves. Britton moved into a tie for second most consecutive saves the very next night after converting his 54th save in a row. On April 16, Britton was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to left forearm tightness.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mahiban|first1=Dhiren|title=Zach Britton to DL with left forearm tightness|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/224660488/orioles-zach-britton-to-dl-with-sore-arm/?topicId=27118122|publisher=MLB|access-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> He was activated on May 2, but on May 6, Britton was again placed on the 10-day disabled list due to the same forearm problem.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ghiroli|first1=Brittany|title=Forearm woes land Zach Britton back on DL|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/228593186/orioles-zach-britton-back-to-disabled-list/?topicId=27118122|publisher=MLB|access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Ghiroli|first1=Brittany|title=Zach Britton might be out 2 months|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/229244968/orioles-zach-britton-could-miss-two-months/?topicId=27118122|publisher=MLB|access-date=May 9, 2017}}</ref> Britton was activated in early July, before the All-Star break. On July 23, he converted his first save since April. The save was his 55th straight, a new American League record. He also moved into sole possession of 2nd place for most consecutive saves converted. On August 23, Britton's streak ended after he gave up two runs in the ninth inning to the Athletics, allowing them to tie the score. His streak ended at 60, having lasted for 704 days.
He finished 2017 by making 38 appearances out of the bullpen with a 2–1 record, a 2.89 ERA, and 15 saves. He threw a sinker 87.5% of the time, tops in MLB.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/pitch-arsenals?year=2017&min=500&type=n_&hand=|title=Statcast Pitch Arsenals Leaderboard|website=baseballsavant.com}}</ref> On December 20, it was revealed that Britton suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, ruling him out for six months.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zach Britton ruptures right Achilles, to have surgery|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/orioles-zach-britton-has-achilles-injury/c-263808464|publisher=MLB|access-date=December 20, 2017}}</ref>
====2018====
Britton agreed to a $12 million, one-year deal with the Orioles in January 2018. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list to begin the season as he recuperated from the ruptured Achilles tendon injury he suffered in December. He made his 2018 debut on June 12, and recorded his first save on June 23.
===New York Yankees===
On July 24, 2018, the Orioles traded Britton to the [[New York Yankees]] in exchange for [[Dillon Tate]], [[Cody Carroll]], and [[Josh Rogers]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Randhawa |first=Manny |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-acquire-zach-britton-from-orioles/c-287154688 |title=Yankees acquire Zach Britton from Orioles |work=MLB.com |date=May 24, 2018 |access-date=January 6, 2019}}</ref> Britton went on to post a 2.88 ERA in 25 appearances for the Yankees in the 2018 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brittza01.shtml|title=Zack Britton Stats|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-29}}</ref> His 1.86 ERA from 2016 to 2018 was the lowest in major league baseball of all pitchers with 100 or more innings pitched.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=100&type=0&season=2018&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0 |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Pitchers » Standard Statistics |publisher=Fangraphs|access-date=January 6, 2019}}</ref>
Britton signed a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year with the Yankees on January 11, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25693480/zach-britton-new-york-yankees-agree-three-year-deal|title=Yankees bringing back Zach Britton on three-year, $39 million deal|website=ESPN|first=Jeff|last=Passan|date=January 6, 2019|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref>
In 2020,
Midway through
▲Midway through 2021 Spring Training, Britton experienced elbow discomfort and a bone chip in his left elbow was discovered following an MRI, which required arthroscopic surgery and a recovery period of 3-4 months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/yankees-zack-britton-mri-elbow.html|title=Zack Britton To Undergo Arthroscopic Elbow Surgery|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref> On March 31, 2021, Britton was placed on the 60-day injured list.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/yankees-select-lucas-luetge.html|title=Yankees Select Lucas Luetge|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref> On June 12, Britton was activated from the injured list.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/06/yankees-dfa-mike-ford-reinstate-zack-britton-option-brooks-kriske.html|title=Yankees DFA Mike Ford, Reinstate Zack Britton, Option Brooks Kriske|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref> On August 12, Britton became the first losing pitcher in the [[MLB at Field of Dreams|Field of Dreams game]] in [[Dyersville, Iowa]]. After the Yankees rallied back down 7–4 in the top of the 9th with home runs by [[Aaron Judge]] and [[Giancarlo Stanton]] to go up 8–7, Britton came in to get the save since Yankees closer [[Aroldis Chapman]] was injured. Britton got White Sox batter [[Danny Mendick]] to ground out to get the first out of the inning. Britton then walked [[Seby Zavala]] and then on the first pitch he threw to [[Tim Anderson (baseball)|Tim Anderson]], Anderson hit it out of the park to give the White Sox the 9–8 win.
On November 20, 2023, Britton announced his retirement from professional baseball.<ref name=retires>{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/5065897/2023/11/20/zack-britton-retirement-yankees-orioles/?source=mlbtw|title=Zack Britton, former Yankee, Oriole All-Star reliever, retires|work=The Athletic|first=Brittany|last=Ghiroli|date=November 20, 2023|accessdate=November 20, 2023}}</ref>
▲On September 9, 2021, Britton underwent [[Tommy John surgery]] along with removal of bone chips in his pitching elbow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/zack-britton-has-tommy-john-surgery|title=Britton undergoes Tommy John surgery|date=September 9, 2021|accessdate=September 9, 2021}}</ref> Britton was activated from the 60-day injured list on September 22. He left the game of September 30 with arm fatigue and went back on the 60-day injured list the next day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34702275/new-york-yankees-put-lhp-zack-britton-60-day-injured-list|title=Yankees put Britton on 60-day IL, ending season|date=October 1, 2022|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
==Pitching style==
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==Personal life==
Britton is married to Courtney Leggett
His older brother, Buck Britton, is a former [[infielder]] who was drafted by the Orioles in the 35th round of the [[2008 MLB draft]] and has previously managed the [[Delmarva Shorebirds]] and [[Bowie Baysox]]. Buck is currently the manager of the [[Norfolk Tides]]. He also has a cousin, Lance Britton, who hosts ''The Lance Britton Show'' on Mile High Sports Radio 1510 in [[Denver, Colorado]].<ref name="jzrebiectbs"/>
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Panorama City, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:Baltimore Orioles players]]
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