O a M G - Oakland Athletics

2005—Missed the entire 2005 season due to an injury in his final year in the Twins organization…was
placed on the 15-day disabled list March 25 with a sore right elbow…underwent Tommy John surgery
to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament May 13 (Dr. Timothy Kremchek)…underwent surgery to repair
a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder Sept. 29 (Kremchek).
2004—Entered the season as the ninth-best prospect in the Twins organization according to Baseball
America…held opponents to a .238 batting average and struck out 42 batters in 39.1 innings…was on
the 15-day disabled list from April 4 to May 13 with a tender right shoulder and from July 26 to Aug.
16 with tendinitis in that shoulder…made two relief appearances for the Twins in the ALDS against the
Yankees, a series won 3-1 by New York…worked 2.2 perfect innings and struck out two…came on in
Game 2 in relief of Brad Radke, tossing 0.2 frames at Yankee Stadium…worked 2.0 innings in relief of
Johan Santana in Game 4 in the Metrodome.
2003—Split the season between Triple-A Rochester and Minnesota…had a pair of stints with the Twins
(July 3-16 and Aug. 15 through season’s end)…struck out a career-high five batters over 2.1 innings in
his first appearance with the Twins July 3 vs. Cleveland…tossed a career-high 4.0 innings, allowing two
hits without a run, Aug. 23 vs. Kansas City (0 bb, 4 so)…recorded his first Major League win Aug. 29
at Texas, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings in the 8-5 victory…made his lone ML start Sept. 3 vs. Anaheim
and received a no decision (2.2 ip, 4 h, 4 r, 4 er, 5 bb, 3 so, 1 hr)…at Rochester he held opponents to a
.188 batting average and struck out 87 batters in only 71 innings…was selected to pitch in the Triple-A
All-Star Game but did not participate due to his promotion to the majors.
2002—Ranked third in the Pacific Coast League with 58 appearances for Triple-A Edmonton…held
opponents to a .231 average and struck out 88 batters in 71.1 innings.
2001—Began the season at Double-A New Britain…promoted to the Twins July 21…made his major
league debut in relief July 22 vs. Seattle (1.2 ip, 1 er)…struck out his first batter faced (Mike Cameron)…was
optioned to Edmonton July 29…at New Britain he held opponents to a .149 average and
struck out 72 in 50.0 innings…named Twins minor league Pitcher of the Month for May…pitched for
the World Team in the All-Star Futures Game July 9 at Seattle’s Safeco Field.
2000—Pitched for Australia in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney…tied for the team lead in wins (8)
at Single-A Fort Myers…struck out 90 batters in 89.0 innings.
1999—Held opponents to a .204 batting average and struck out 95 batters in 91.2 innings at Single-A
Quad City…produced a season-high 12 strikeouts over 8.0 innings in a win Aug 9 vs. Fort Wayne.
1998—Led the Appalachian League in wins at Rookie-level Elizabethton.
1997—Made his professional debut in the Gulf Coast League.
PERSOnAL/MiSCELLAnEOUS
Grant Robert Balfour was originally signed by Twins scout Howard Norsetter (Twins)…he and his wife,
Angie, have a daughter, Raegan Madison (6/2/11)…graduated from William Clark High School in Kellyville,
New South Wales, Australia, where he played baseball and rugby…named Rookie of the Year in
the Sydney Baseball League in 1995 and Pitcher of the Year in 1996…spent much of his amateur career
as a catcher…in January 2008, Wests Tigers Rugby League Football inducted Grant into their club at
Concord Oval…received a special invitation to attend Wests Tigers headquarters to meet the players
and be taken on a tour of the training facilities…is a passionate Wests Tigers supporter after growing up
following the Balmain Tigers…his father played for Balmain.
46 > 2011 Oakland athletics Media Guide