Grant Balfour hits big-time in Major League Baseball
source
THE little-known boy from Blacktown has become a very big deal in the US.
Grant Balfour is a name not familiar to most Australian sports fans, but the 30-year-old is now one of the hottest prospects in Major League Baseball.
So hot, in fact, that the larrikin pitcher is on the brink of signing a new deal with Tampa Bay that could see his earnings soar past $10 million a season.
To put that in perspective, his lucrative deal, to be thrashed out at season's end, would elevate Balfour into the top five money-earners in Australian sport. NRL and AFL stars would be envious, as would our world champion cricketers.
From growing up in the working-class Sydney suburb of Kings Langley, Balfour's new wage will surpass the salary cap of two NRL teams and still cover Ricky Ponting's annual pay packet.
Amazingly, Balfour is leading the majors in several categories for middle relievers. The right-hander has struck out almost 40 per cent of the batters he has thrown against.
He blew away Frank Thomas, the popular slugger known in the US as "The Big Hurt", when he played for Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.
"That was nice, but most of the time I try not to think about who I'm throwing to," Balfour told The Daily Telegraph.
"I've thrown against guys like Derek Jeter (who is worth $110 million) and A-Rodd (Alex Rodriguez, a player on a $250 million, 10-year deal), but it doesn't matter to me. The way I see it, I'm going after everybody the same way."
Balfour says he is truly "living the dream". He's done countless media interviews since returning to the majors at the end of May.
Such is the excitement in Tampa Bay, fans text each other and form little crowds outside restaurants and bars where he dines.
And to think Balfour once believed actor Toni Collette was the only person from the Blacktown area who could pull a crowd.
But Balfour's father, Dave, a builder in Sydney, says he knew it was only a matter of time before his son strutted his stuff on the big stage.
Part of the attention is because of Balfour's efforts on the mound.
The fact Tampa Bay have gone from being the competition's laughing stock to serious World Series contenders has also not gone unnoticed. Being Australian is another reason the Americans have remained intrigued.
"Wherever I go they're always asking me about Australia, and it's great to think about home and talk about home," said Balfour.
"In a way it still feels like only yesterday that I was playing baseball for the workers' club at Laybutt Reserve (in Blacktown).
"I keep up with what's happening. I know my Wests Tigers have got a big game coming up against Parramatta on Monday night."
Sydney-based talent scout Trevor Jarrett said middle relievers - pitchers who are only required to throw an innings or two late in the game - could command upwards of $10 million. They could also compete past 40 years of age.
But Balfour, who spent time with the Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers, said he was only concerned about Tampa reaching the playoffs.
"My dream was to play in the major leagues when I first arrived in America 12 years ago," Balfour said. "Now my goal is to become one of the top-level players. The money will sort itself out."
