Balfour says he’s still got what it takes

Grant Balfour is one of the most intense pitchers in major league baseball.

His intensity was evident this week when he learned that the Baltimore Orioles decided not to sign him to a two-year, $15 million deal because of concerns over his shoulder.

Balfour, who has saved 62 of 67 opportunities over the past two seasons for the Oakland Athletics, said he didn’t want to knock the Orioles. But in an interview with Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday, he expressed his displeasure with Orioles General Manager Dan Duquette.

“I called Dan Duquette and told him, ‘I’ve played in this league for 10 years. I deserve to be treated with respect and you did not treat me with respect,’ ” Balfour said. “Two well-respected physicians said I am completely healthy — because I am healthy. I’m a fighter and a winner, and I would have given you your best chance to win.

“I was looking forward to pitching for the Orioles and helping them go to the World Series, where they haven’t been for 30 years. I wanted to help them as a team.”

There were no indications that Balfour had any physical problems at the end of the 2013 season.

“I’m the All-Star pitcher I was last season,” Balfour said. “I’m ready to go.”

No jinx

Frisco, Texas, is the home of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision championship game and the city’s mayor, Maher Masso, was not hiding who he wanted in this season’s game.

“I don’t want to jinx you all, but it would be nice to have you down here again,” Masso said, referring to North Dakota State, the twotime defending FCS champion.

North Dakota State didn’t let Masso or the city of Frisco down, pounding New Hampshire 52-14 on Friday night at the Fargodome in Fargo, N.D. The Bison (14-0) will face Towson for the FCS championship on Jan. 4 at Toyota Stadium looking for their third consecutive national championship.

In the past two seasons North Dakota State has played in the FCS championship, the attendance was 20,586 in 2012 and 21,411 earlier this year. It’s doubtful that Towson will claim their allotted 4,500 tickets, so the Bison fan base may be packing Toyota Stadium again.

Could he?

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker made a 61-yard field goal last Monday against the Detroit Lions.

But Tucker told USA Today that under the right conditions, he could back up nine more yards and make one.

“If I pulled out the 8-degree driver — on a day when I’m feeling fresh — I could probably hit one from 70 yards,” Tucker said. “I hit one from 70 yards in pregame in Detroit this past Monday night.”

The NFL record is 64 yards, set this season by Denver’s Matt Prater.

“It seems unlikely we’ll see a 70yard field goal in a game,” wrote Frank Schwab of Yahoo! Sports. “But Tucker, the NFL’s hottest kicker, thinks it’s possible, so who’s going to argue with him?”

He said it

From Cedric Golden of the Austin (Texas) AmericanStatesman:

“Worst holiday trend: Coaches dancing around questions gauging their interest in the Texas head coaching job. Like this response from Vandy’s James Franklin when asked about UT:. ‘I’m really excited about [BBVA Compass Bowl opponent] Houston.’ Hey, James. People in Houston aren’t even excited about Houston.”

“Worst analyst moment: Joey Harrington likening Texas QB Case McCoy to a young Major Applewhite during Texas’ loss at Baylor. Case had his moments this year, but you can’t play the Major card there, JH.”

“Best quote: South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier on coaching for the 14th time at Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium: ‘I’ve coached there more than some of their head coaches.’ ”

AP/ERIC RISBERG Former Oakland Athletics pitcher Grant Balfour felt he was disrespected when Baltimore Orioles General Manager Dan Duquette chose not to sign him because of concerns about his shoulder.