Chris Britton
Encyclopedia
Christopher Daniel Britton (born December 16, 1982 in Hollywood, Florida
is a right-handed Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
who is currently pitching for the Lincoln Saltdogs
of the American Association
.
in Florida
. He was 1st-team All-Broward County and 2nd team All-State.
.
In 2005 he was a High-A All-Star. He was 6-0 that year with a 1.60 ERA, and in 78.2 innings gave up on only 47 hits and 23 walks, while striking out 110 batters.
On June 10, 2009 he was signed by the York Revolution in the Atlantic League.
and $4 million. He started the season at AAA Scranton but was called up on April 15, 2007 after a string of injuries to starting pitching and a pair of extra inning games. He made his first appearance with the Yankees two days later, on April 17, pitching a scoreless ninth inning. He was recalled on August 29, 2007, with Sean Henn
getting sent down to AAA. On June 6, 2008, Britton was placed on the disabled list.
Following the 2008 season, Britton was non-tendered by the Yankees, making him a free agent.
In 15 appearances for the Padres AA and AAA teams, Britton threw 20 2/3 innings, allowed 24 earned runs, 39 hits and 8 walks and struck out 10, with an ERA of 10.45.
of the Independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
for the 2009 season. He signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs
of the American Association
for the 2010 season. He was released from the Saltdogs on 6/28/2010.
, Bobby Jenks
, Adam Dunn
, and Dmitri Young
. Like Britton, the former three are pitchers in their 20s.
expressed confidence in Britton: "He has not failed in any capacity at any level. Every chance he’s gotten, he’s had success, period. That’s what defines Chris Britton. I can’t tell you any more than that."
Hollywood, Florida
-Demographics:As of 2000, there were 59,673 households out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of...
is a right-handed Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
who is currently pitching for the Lincoln Saltdogs
Lincoln Saltdogs
The Lincoln Saltdogs are a professional baseball team based in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the United States. The Saltdogs are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the American Association
American Association (21st century)
The American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, based in Durham, North Carolina, is a professional baseball league founded in 2005 and independent of Major League Baseball...
.
High school
Britton attended Plantation High SchoolPlantation High School
Plantation High School is a high school located in Plantation, Florida. The school serves 2,669 students in grades 9 through 12, and is a part of the Broward County Public Schools district...
in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. He was 1st-team All-Broward County and 2nd team All-State.
Minor leagues
As of August 14, 2007, he has averaged 7.6 hits, 2.9 walks, and 9.5 strikeouts per 9 innings in the Minor LeaguesMinor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
.
In 2005 he was a High-A All-Star. He was 6-0 that year with a 1.60 ERA, and in 78.2 innings gave up on only 47 hits and 23 walks, while striking out 110 batters.
On June 10, 2009 he was signed by the York Revolution in the Atlantic League.
Baltimore Orioles
As a rookie with the Orioles in 2006, in 52 relief appearances Britton was 0-2 with a 3.35 ERA, with 46 hits, 41 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 53.2 innings.New York Yankees
On November 12, 2006, the Orioles traded Britton to the New York Yankees for right-handed pitcher Jaret WrightJaret Wright
Jaret Samuel Wright is an American former Major League Baseball starting pitcher, who played 10 years for five teams. He is the son of former major league pitcher Clyde Wright.-Early life and education:...
and $4 million. He started the season at AAA Scranton but was called up on April 15, 2007 after a string of injuries to starting pitching and a pair of extra inning games. He made his first appearance with the Yankees two days later, on April 17, pitching a scoreless ninth inning. He was recalled on August 29, 2007, with Sean Henn
Sean Henn
Sean Michael Henn is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball...
getting sent down to AAA. On June 6, 2008, Britton was placed on the disabled list.
Following the 2008 season, Britton was non-tendered by the Yankees, making him a free agent.
San Diego Padres
On December 19, 2008, the Padres announced the signing of Britton to a minor league deal. On May 25, 2009 the Padres released Britton due to a poor start at Triple A.In 15 appearances for the Padres AA and AAA teams, Britton threw 20 2/3 innings, allowed 24 earned runs, 39 hits and 8 walks and struck out 10, with an ERA of 10.45.
Independent baseball
Britton signed with the York RevolutionYork Revolution
The York Revolution is an American professional baseball team based in York, Pennsylvania. It is a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent league not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the Independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
for the 2009 season. He signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs
Lincoln Saltdogs
The Lincoln Saltdogs are a professional baseball team based in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the United States. The Saltdogs are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the American Association
American Association (21st century)
The American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, based in Durham, North Carolina, is a professional baseball league founded in 2005 and independent of Major League Baseball...
for the 2010 season. He was released from the Saltdogs on 6/28/2010.
Weight
At 275 pounds, Britton is one of the heaviest players in baseball. The only other major leaguers who are listed as heavy or heavier are CC Sabathia, Jonathan BroxtonJonathan Broxton
Jonathan Roy Broxton is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
, Bobby Jenks
Bobby Jenks
Robert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
, Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Troy Dunn , nicknamed "Big Donkey", is an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed....
, and Dmitri Young
Dmitri Young
Dmitri Dell Young is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Young is 6'2" and 275 pounds...
. Like Britton, the former three are pitchers in their 20s.
"Brittongate"
While Britton has generally put up good minor league numbers and had success with the Orioles during the 2006 season, he has been generally overlooked by the Yankees. Yankees fan blogs, which generally bemoan the team's relief pitchers, quickly grew frustrated with the team's reluctance to place Britton on the major league roster, or use him when available. This unwillingness to use the pitcher has been dubbed "Brittongate." General manager Brian CashmanBrian Cashman
Brian McGuire Cashman is an American Major League Baseball executive for the New York Yankees.-Early life:Cashman was born in Rockville Centre, New York and raised in Washingtonville, New York. He was raised in an Irish Catholic family. He moved with his family to Lexington, Kentucky, where his...
expressed confidence in Britton: "He has not failed in any capacity at any level. Every chance he’s gotten, he’s had success, period. That’s what defines Chris Britton. I can’t tell you any more than that."
External links
- Winter Wonders: All Hail Great Britton Baseball America, January 19, 2005