Fansided

Auction features Zach Britton’s “game used” jersey from Wild Card game

By Dave Stevenson

Aug 3, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Zach Britton (53) throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Zach Britton (53) throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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MLB is auctioning off the “game used” jersey of Zach Britton from the American League Wild Card game. 

The Baltimore Orioles will have to endure sitting through the entire offseason knowing Zach Britton, the best relief pitcher in baseball, never got to pitch in a must-win game. MLB has auctions featuring jerseys used in MLB games. One of these jerseys is Britton’s jersey from the 2016 American League Wild Card game. There’s just one problem. While Britton might have worn it in the bullpen, the jersey never appeared in the game.

At least some good can come out of the Orioles making it to the postseason. Without it, some fan might not be able to own a mint condition game used postseason Britton jersey. Orioles manager Buck Showalter is facing criticism after choosing to let Ubaldo Jimenez pitch before his best pitcher. Looking at the success of the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers so far this postseason, it’s obvious Showalter didn’t make the right decision.

Related Story: 5 worst manager decisions in MLB Postseason history

Showalter saved his best pitcher for a moment which never came. Sure, the Orioles’ offense only scored two runs. Had they scored more, Britton would have pitched. But imagine if the Orioles use Britton against Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, and Jose Bautista in the 11th inning.

Had the Orioles lost despite losing Britton, it at least makes the loss slightly more bearable. The Orioles would have gone down with their best pitcher on the mound. However, had Britton shut down the Jays in the 11th inning, who knows? Maybe the Orioles score a run in the 12th inning. Britton could have easily pitched the 12th inning as well, since he pitched over one inning multiple times in the 2016 season. Using Britton would have given the Orioles a bigger window of opportunity to win the game. But now they’ll face an offseason wondering what could have been.

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