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Ex-reliever Balfour: A's fans 'brought out the best in me'

Editor's note: The above video is from October 2013.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays were the ones rolling out the red carpet for Grant Balfour on Sunday, but the ceremony also gave the recently retired reliever a chance to reflect on his three seasons in green and gold.

Balfour, who called it a career after last season, is tied for the most postseason appearances by a Rays pitcher. But while a member of the A’s bullpen from 2011-13, he was instrumental in two playoff runs and racked up 64 saves serving time as Oakland’s closer.