Rays to wear blue socks in honor of Grant Balfour's father and former Sydney Blue Sox GM

When the Rays take the field against the Mets on Sunday afternoon, the team will be looking a little different. They'll be sporting light blue socks in honor of Grant Balfour's father, David, a former GM of the Sydney Blue Sox, who passed away on Friday from cancer at the age 62.  

David was the original owner and GM of the Sydney Blues and Sydney Storm in the original Australian league before it folded in 2002. He then returned as GM for the now-Blue Sox before stepping down due to cancer treatments in late-2013. His life-long devotion to the sport also earned him the Baseball Australia Presidents award that year.

So when you watch the Rays take the field today, take note of their special socks and remember a man who helped  shape the game of baseball in Australia. 

Grant and David Balfour. Thanks for sharing yesterday with your baseball family. @MLB @RaysBaseball @ABLeague pic.twitter.com/nWoWKGNUUy

- Sydney Blue Sox (@SydneyBlueSox) December 14, 2014