Ten years service in Major League Baseball makes Grant Balfour's Hall of Fame induction inevitable. Exceptional family circumstances has led to the heartfelt decision to bring that honour forward for his father to see.
Baseball Australia is moved to announce the induction of Grant Balfour into the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame, class of 2015. In what are unprecedented special circumstances, the Heritage Committee and Baseball Australia Board have decided to bring what is the inevitable induction of Grant into the Hall of Fame forward, so that his ailing father David can see the honour.
The right-handed pitcher currently with the Tampa Bay Rays will be inducted for the special playing category for Outstanding International Career.
A cult-figure among baseball fans for his intense on-field persona, Grant has racked up ten years of Major League Baseball service, putting together arguably the finest career of any Australian in the Major Leagues. His career highlights include being selected in the 2013 American League All-Star Team and pitching in the postseason with three different clubs, including the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 World Series.
The Sydney native grew up in Kings Langley, New South Wales, where he began playing junior baseball. Signed by the Minnesota Twins in 1997 as a 19-year-old amateur free agent, Balfour went onto make his MLB debut with the Twins in 2001.
“Balf” as he is affectionately known by teammates, has served as a relief pitcher for a number of Major League teams over eleven seasons, including the Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays. A career 3.46 ERA over 528 games with 84 saves and 571 strikeouts in 535.1 innings, Balf also holds the Athletics consecutive save record at 44.
Speaking of his induction from Florida, US, Grant said he is grateful to be classed among his Hall of Fame peers:
"I am honored to be inducted into the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame with many other greats who have played or made a huge impact on this game. I started out playing baseball at the age of 6 and continue to play the game today. It has been my life and I am very fortunate to have made a great living from this game. I continue my passion for the game and hope to accomplish many more things to come. I want to thank my family who have been there for me my whole career and are my biggest fans".
Grant joins Trent Durrington and John Galloway as the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 inductees, to be honoured at the Australian Baseball Gala on Saturday 28 February 2015.
View Balf's full Hall of Fame Bio including video at baseball.com.au/GrantBalfour
Angove Australian Baseball Gala – celebrating the Hall of Fame and Annual Diamond Awards
Date: Saturday 28 February 2015
Time: Arrivals and red carpet from 6:00pm
Where: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Who: The largest gathering of Australian baseball past and present players, coaches and community, plus ten year reunion of the 2004 Olympic Silver Medal winning team.
Awards: Baseball Australia Hall of Fame, ABL Helms Award MVP, 2014/15 ABL Season playing categories, National High Performance and Grassroots Community Awards.
Ten years service in Major League Baseball makes Grant Balfour's Hall of Fame induction inevitable. Exceptional family circumstances has led to the heartfelt decision to bring that honour forward for his father to see.
Baseball Australia is moved to announce the induction of Grant Balfour into the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame, class of 2015. In what are unprecedented special circumstances, the Heritage Committee and Baseball Australia Board have decided to bring what is the inevitable induction of Grant into the Hall of Fame forward, so that his ailing father David can see the honour.
The right-handed pitcher currently with the Tampa Bay Rays will be inducted for the special playing category for Outstanding International Career.
A cult-figure among baseball fans for his intense on-field persona, Grant has racked up ten years of Major League Baseball service, putting together arguably the finest career of any Australian in the Major Leagues. His career highlights include being selected in the 2013 American League All-Star Team and pitching in the postseason with three different clubs, including the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 World Series.
The Sydney native grew up in Kings Langley, New South Wales, where he began playing junior baseball. Signed by the Minnesota Twins in 1997 as a 19-year-old amateur free agent, Balfour went onto make his MLB debut with the Twins in 2001.
“Balf” as he is affectionately known by teammates, has served as a relief pitcher for a number of Major League teams over eleven seasons, including the Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays. A career 3.46 ERA over 528 games with 84 saves and 571 strikeouts in 535.1 innings, Balf also holds the Athletics consecutive save record at 44.
Speaking of his induction from Florida, US, Grant said he is grateful to be classed among his Hall of Fame peers:
"I am honored to be inducted into the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame with many other greats who have played or made a huge impact on this game. I started out playing baseball at the age of 6 and continue to play the game today. It has been my life and I am very fortunate to have made a great living from this game. I continue my passion for the game and hope to accomplish many more things to come. I want to thank my family who have been there for me my whole career and are my biggest fans".
Grant joins Trent Durrington and John Galloway as the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 inductees, to be honoured at the Australian Baseball Gala on Saturday 28 February 2015.
View Balf's full Hall of Fame Bio including video at baseball.com.au/GrantBalfour
Angove Australian Baseball Gala – celebrating the Hall of Fame and Annual Diamond Awards
Date: Saturday 28 February 2015
Time: Arrivals and red carpet from 6:00pm
Where: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Who: The largest gathering of Australian baseball past and present players, coaches and community, plus ten year reunion of the 2004 Olympic Silver Medal winning team.
Awards: Baseball Australia Hall of Fame, ABL Helms Award MVP, 2014/15 ABL Season playing categories, National High Performance and Grassroots Community Awards.