Grant Balfour | |
---|---|
Relief pitcher | |
Born: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | 30 December 1977|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
July 22, 2001, for the Minnesota Twins | |
Last MLB appearance | |
April 18, 2015, for the Tampa Bay Rays | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 30–23 |
Earned run average | 3.49 |
Strikeouts | 571 |
Saves | 84 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
Grant Robert Balfour (born 30 December 1977) is an Australian former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins,Milwaukee Brewers,Tampa Bay Devil Rays / Rays,and Oakland Athletics. He is second all-time in saves and strikeouts among Australian MLB pitchers behind Liam Hendriks, [1] and holds the Oakland Athletics consecutive save record at 44.
Notable as one of only a handful of Australian-born Major League Baseball players,Balfour spent his first years at school attending Kings Langley Public School and high school years at William Clarke College in Kellyville,New South Wales.
Balfour made his major league debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2001 and played with them until 2004.
After missing 2005 with an injury,he played in the Cincinnati Reds organization in 2006.
After a three-year absence,Balfour made his return to the major leagues on 18 July,2007,in the 8th inning with the Milwaukee Brewers. He relieved Chris Capuano in a 2–2 tie with the Arizona Diamondbacks,striking out outfielder Chris Young,the first hitter he faced. With two outs in the 8th,he hit a batter and walked another before giving up a three-run home run to Mark Reynolds,giving the Diamondbacks a 5–2 lead. Balfour would finish the 8th and 9th inning and take the loss in relief,having given up three earned runs in the 5–2 defeat. [2]
The Brewers designated Balfour for assignment on 27 July 2007,and traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays that day for Seth McClung. [3] He finished the season in the Rays' bullpen and was re-signed to a one-year deal. [4]
He came into 2008 spring training as a long shot to make the Rays' bullpen. Despite a solid spring training,he eventually lost for on the final spot and was designated for assignment. [5] He cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Durham on 3 April 2008. [6]
He was recalled from Durham on 29 May 2008. [7] He earned a save on 31 May against the Chicago White Sox,retiring Brian Anderson to end the game in a Rays 2–0 win. [8] In a series sweep against the Chicago Cubs at Tropicana Field,he was credited with two of the three wins –the first on 16 June,relieving Scott Kazmir with the score 1–1 and bases loaded,pitching 1+1⁄3 perfect innings in a 3–2 win; [9] the second on 18 June, entering the game trailing 1–2, and pitching 1+2⁄3 innings, recording three strikeouts, in a game the Rays won 8–3. [10]
He finished 2008 with a 1.54 ERA, a 6–2 record, 4 saves out of 5 opportunities, 14 holds, and 82 strikeouts over 58+1⁄3 IP in 51 appearances. He helped the Rays win their first divisional title and American League pennant (against the Boston Red Sox), losing to the Phillies in the World Series,
In 2009, he chose to skip the 2009 World Baseball Classic because the Rays asked him not to play for Australia while he was still under contract. [11] That season was much less successful for the Rays, who finished 84–78, 19 games behind the New York Yankees. Although he pitched considerably more innings and games pitched, he finished a disappointing 5–4, with 4 saves and a 4.81 ERA for the season with 69 strikeouts compared to the previous season's 82.
Balfour is known to shout at himself while on the mound and use profanity to fire himself up. On 2 October 2008, during Game 1 of the ALDS, he was involved in an exchange of words with Chicago White Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera. With the bases loaded and two outs, his first pitch to Cabrera was outside for ball one. Cabrera then kicked the dirt in front of the batter's box in the direction of the pitcher's mound and according to Balfour, Cabrera told him to "throw it over the plate." Unaware of Balfour's behaviour while pitching, Cabrera was under the impression that he was the one being yelled at. The at-bat continued and ended with Cabrera striking out. Balfour stormed off the mound, yelling at Cabrera as he walked to the dugout. Balfour stated after the game that he told Cabrera to "go sit down" and that he "might have mixed one or two words in with it." Deemed a misunderstanding between the two, there were no further incidents in the series, with Balfour getting the final out as the Rays won three games to one. [12]
In December 2009, he signed a new contract with Tampa Bay, worth $2.05 million over one year. [13]
On 18 January 2011, Balfour signed a 2-year, $8 million contract with the Oakland Athletics. [14] On 20 March 2012, he was named the Athletics' closer over Brian Fuentes. [15] Balfour held the closer role for the early part of the 2012 season but was demoted after a few blown saves to the role of setup man. In early August, Balfour regained the closer role from Ryan Cook. [16] Balfour went 3–2 in 75 appearances with 24 saves in 74+2⁄3 innings pitched in 2012. On 29 October, the Athletics decided to exercise their option for Balfour worth $4.5M. [17]
On 8 July 2013, Balfour set the record for most consecutive saves for the Athletics, earning his 41st in a 2–1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. [18] He was selected later in the month as a replacement All-Star pitcher for teammate Bartolo Colón. [19]
In 65 appearances, Balfour finished the year 38–41 in save opportunities, going 1–3 with a 2.59 ERA as the team's closer, striking out 72 in 62.2 innings with a .206 OBA. He pitched three scoreless innings in the ALDS against the Tigers, getting one win and one save.
In Game 3 of the 2013 ALDS against the Detroit Tigers, Balfour began cursing at Victor Martinez, who then answered back, leading to both benches clearing. Balfour claimed that Martinez gave him a "viral death stare" prior to exchanging words as he composed it on Twitter. The A's would go on to win the game 6-3 but lost the series in 5 games. [20]
On 17 December 2013, it was reported that Balfour had come to an agreement with the Baltimore Orioles on a two-year, $15 million deal. [21] However, on 19 December 2013, it was revealed that the deal was in serious jeopardy as a result of issues that came up during his physical. [22] On 20 December, the Orioles announced that they would not be signing him and that they would look elsewhere for relief help. [23] Balfour responded that he was perfectly healthy and other doctors who examined him disputed the Orioles interpretation of his physical results. He said he would consider filing a grievance with the players association. [24]
Balfour subsequently agreed to a two-year contract with the Rays, worth $12 million. [25] After starting the 2014 season with a 6.46 ERA in 24 games, Balfour was removed from the closer role on 9 June 2014. [26]
He was designated for assignment by the Rays on 18 April 2015, [27] and released on 29 April. [28] Several days after the team released him, Balfour signed a minor league deal back with the Rays. [29] While pitching with Triple-A Durham, Balfour held a 2.79 ERA in eight games, owning an 11:4 K:BB ratio over 9+2⁄3 innings. He opted out of his contract on 28 May. [30]
On 29 April 2016, Balfour announced his retirement. [31]
Balfour's father, David, was a rugby player and general manager and owner of the Sydney Blue Sox. David was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2010 [32] and died on 10 March 2015. [33]
Balfour was inducted into the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame in February 2015. [32]
Michael August Timlin is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. Timlin played on four World Series championship teams in an 18-year career; the 1992 Toronto Blue Jays, 1993 Toronto Blue Jays, 2004 Boston Red Sox, and 2007 Boston Red Sox.
Scott Edward Kazmir is an American former professional baseball pitcher who participated in 15 Major League Baseball (MLB) seasons between 2004 and 2021, most notably with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Kevin Forrest Cash is an American professional baseball manager and former player who is the manager of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Previously, Cash played catcher in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros. As a player, Cash was listed at 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) and 200 pounds (91 kg); he batted and threw right-handed. He was the bullpen coach for the Cleveland Indians before being hired as the Rays' manager in December 2014. Cash was the American League Manager of the Year in 2020 and 2021, the first AL manager to win the award consecutively. Cash will enter the 2024 season as the longest-tenured manager in MLB.
Delmon Damarcus Young is an American former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Baltimore Orioles. He is the younger brother of former major league outfielder and first baseman Dmitri Young. He was the first-overall pick in the 2003 MLB draft.
James Anthony Shields, nicknamed "Big Game James", is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays from 2006 through 2012, the Kansas City Royals in 2013 and 2014, the San Diego Padres in 2015 and 2016, and the Chicago White Sox from 2016 to 2018. He was an All Star in 2011.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays' 2007 season, the tenth season in franchise history, involved the Devil Rays trying to improve on their 2006 season, where they finished last in the American League East, and managed to finish the season with a league-worst record of 66–96. During the offseason they signed Japanese infielder Akinori Iwamura to a three-year deal. Their manager was Joe Maddon, who entered his second season with the Devil Rays.
Andrew Michael Sonnanstine is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays / Rays. Sonnanstine is a graduate of Wadsworth High School in Wadsworth, Ohio, and attended Kent State University. He also pitched for the Sanford Mainers of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
Dequam LaWesley Wright is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Adam William Russell is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, and Tampa Bay Rays.
The 2008 American League Championship Series (ALCS), the second round of the 2008 American League playoffs, was a best-of-seven series matching the two winners of the American League Division Series. The AL East Division champion Tampa Bay Rays, who had defeated the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS, were paired with the wild-card and defending world champion Boston Red Sox, who had defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, in the ALDS. Tampa Bay held the home field advantage.
Raymond Thomas Hunter is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets.
Jeremy Robert Hellickson is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, and Washington Nationals. Following the 2011 season, Hellickson was named American League Rookie of the Year. In Tampa Bay, Hellickson was nicknamed "Hellboy" by local fans and media.
Alexander Jesus Torres Matos is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres and New York Mets. He is known as the first pitcher in Major League Baseball to take advantage of the league rules allowing pitchers to wear protective headgear full-time.
Alexander Miller Cobb is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the fourth round of the 2006 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut for them in 2011. He previously played for the Rays from 2011 through 2017, the Baltimore Orioles from 2018 to 2020, and the Los Angeles Angels in 2021.
Alexander Manuel Colomé Pérez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, and Chicago White Sox.
The Tampa Bay Rays' 2013 season was the Rays' 16th season of Major League Baseball and the sixth as the "Rays". The Rays hoped to improve upon their 90–72 record and third-place finish from 2012. After 162 games, the Rays had a 91–71 record, but fell into a tie with the Texas Rangers for the last remaining wild card berth. The Rays won in a tie-breaker game on September 30 and then beat the Cleveland Indians in the ALWC Game on October 2. They advanced to play the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS, but lost the series in four games.
The 2013 American League Division Series were two best-of-five-game series to determine the teams that would participate in the 2013 American League Championship Series. The three divisional winners and a fourth team — the winner of a one-game Wild Card playoff — played in two series. TBS carried most of the games, with some on MLB Network.
Matthew Lee Andriese is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Miami Marlins organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, and Seattle Mariners. He has also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants.
Ryan Christian Yarbrough is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals. The Seattle Mariners selected Yarbrough in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB draft.
Diego Castillo is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher in the Minnesota Twins organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners.