Grant Balfour, a cult-figure among baseball fans for his intense on-field persona, is in Australia. Balfour made his MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2001, and has since played over 11 seasons with the Twins, the Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays.
in 2013 he was selected to the 2013 American League All-Star Team, and has pitched the post season with three clubs including with the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 World Series. He is currently playing with the Tampa Bay Rays, has a career 3.46 ERA in over 528 games with 84 saves and 571 strikeouts.
In 2000 he played on the Australian Olympic Team and he will serve as the honourary team captain at the 2014 ABL All-Star Game.
Balfour is currently on an 8 day MLB Ambassadors tour, where he has visited both Sydney and Canberra. Sydney Blue Sox has also hosted a touching pregame tribute to his father and former General Manager David Balfour, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer several years ago.
Remaining date of Grant Balfour's MLB Ambassador Tour:
Tuesday 16 December – Melbourne:
▪ Press availability at Melbourne Ballpark with Australian Baseball League All-Stars
Wednesday 17 December – Melbourne:
▪ To serve as honorary Team Australia Captain in the Australian Baseball League All-Star Game pitting the best home-grown talent in the league against the best of the imports
Thursday 18 December – Gold Coast
▪ MLB Training with the Pros Session with local junior players at Coomera
Friday 19 December – Brisbane
▪ Press Availability at AFA Stadium at Holloway Field
▪ MLB Training with the Pros Session with local junior players at AFA Stadium at Holloway Field
▪ Meet fans as the Brisbane Bandits take on the Canberra Cavalry
Tickets are still available for the ABL All-Star Game presented by Levi's featuring live performance by Kingswood.