One of the most sought-after relievers on the market, the Yankees acquired LHP Zach Britton from the Orioles on Tuesday to add to their already loaded bullpen.
Britton, swapping the league's worst record for the league's third-best, was in disbelief. So much so, that once he put on the famous pinstripes, he had to look in the mirror.
"It's weird. To look down and look at those pants, just weird. Never wore pinstripes - or any other uniform. It was a weird feeling," said Britton, via Dan Connolly of The Athletic. "I looked at myself in the mirror for the first time [wearing the Yankees uniform] and was like, 'Wow. It's happened.' But once you get into the game, it's pretty normal."
Britton made his Yankees debut on Thursday, throw a clean inning with a strikeout.
"I would say it's a lot easier when you have them supporting you," Britton said. "It was exciting. I enjoyed it and am glad to get the first one out of the way."
Britton, 30, has a 3.42 ERA in 17 relief appearances this season, including his Yankees' debut. He has been one of the most dominant relievers over the past five years. Between 2014 and 2017, Britton had a 1.61 ERA, 135 saves and 244 strikeouts in 246 1/3 innings, including a 0.54 ERA and a league-leading 47 saves in 2016.