Jim Palmer
Jim Palmer | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: New York City, New York, U.S. | October 15, 1945|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
April 17, 1965, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
Last MLB appearance | |
May 12, 1984, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 268–152 |
Earned run average | 2.86 |
Strikeouts | 2,212 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Member of the National | |
Baseball Hall of Fame | |
Induction | 1990 |
Vote | 92.6% (first ballot) |
James Alvin Palmer (born October 15, 1945) is an American former professional
Palmer appeared in the postseason eight times and was a vital member of three World Series Champions, six AL pennant winners and seven Eastern Division titleholders. He is the only pitcher in history to earn a win in a World Series game in three different decades. He is also the youngest to pitch a complete-game shutout in a World Series, doing so nine days before his 21st birthday in 1966, in which he defeated Sandy Koufax in Koufax's last appearance.[4] He was one of the starters on the last rotation to feature four 20-game winners in a single season in 1971.[5] He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.[6]
Since his retirement as an active player in
Early life
James Alvin Palmer was born in Manhattan, New York City, on October 15, 1945. Research conducted by his third wife Susan in 2017 revealed that his biological father and mother were Michael Joseph Geheran and Mary Ann Moroney, both Irish immigrants from Counties Leitrim and Clare, respectively. Joe was a married 41-year-old man about town, while Mary Ann was an unmarried 37-year-old domestic worker for the Feinstein family which was prominent in the garment industry. Moroney gave up her infant for adoption and concealed information in the New York City birth registry, where Palmer is listed as Baby Boy Kennedy, whose father was Maroney and mother was Kennedy.
Maroney was the incorrect spelling of her surname as listed when she registered at Ellis Island, while Kennedy was her sister Katharine's married name. Moroney eventually married John Lane and the couple had a daughter, Patricia, Palmer's biological half-sister, who died of leukemia at age 40 in 1987. As of May 2018, the Palmers were still searching for Patricia Lane's daughter, whose married name is Kimberly Hughes and who would be Jim Palmer's half-niece. Geheran died in 1959 and Moroney in 1979.[10]
Two days after his birth, Palmer was adopted by Moe Wiesen and his wife Polly, a wealthy Manhattan dress designer and a boutique owner, respectively, who lived on
Jim played baseball for the Beverly Hills Yankees, where he
Bobby Winkles of Arizona State suggested that Palmer get more experience playing collegiate summer baseball, so Palmer went to South Dakota to join the Winner Pheasants of the Basin League.[13] The team advanced all the way to the league finals, and Palmer caught the attention of Baltimore Orioles scout Harry Dalton while pitching in the second game of the championship.[14][15] According to Palmer, 13 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams recruited him after the season wrapped up, but Jim Russo (the scout who also signed Dave McNally and Boog Powell) and Jim Wilson of the Orioles made the best impression on his parents with their polite manners.[16] Palmer signed with Baltimore for $50,000.[15]
Career in baseball
1960s
A high-kicking pitcher known for an exceptionally smooth delivery, Palmer picked up his first major-league win on May 16,
During the next two seasons, Palmer struggled with arm injuries. He had injured his arm in 1966 while using a
Palmer returned healthy in 1969, rejoining an Orioles rotation that included 20-game winners
1970s
In
Palmer was at his peak again in 1975, winning 23 games, throwing 10 shutouts (allowing just 44 hits in those games), and fashioning a 2.09 ERA—all tops in the American League. He completed 25 games, even saved one, and limited opposing hitters to a .216 batting average. On July 28, 1976, he received a fine from AL president Lee MacPhail after hitting Mickey Rivers with a pitch the day before. Palmer said it was in retaliation for Dock Ellis hitting Reggie Jackson with a pitch earlier in the game, then complained when Ellis (who did not admit to throwing at Jackson) was not fined.[29][30] Palmer won his second Cy Young Award, and repeated his feat in 1976 (22–13, 2.51). During the latter year, he won the first of four consecutive Gold Glove Awards. (Jim Kaat, who had won the award 14 years in a row, moved to the National League, where he won the award that year and in 1977.)
After making $185,000 in 1976, Palmer hoped for a raise in 1977. The Orioles offered $200,000 initially, but Palmer wanted $275,000. They finally agreed on a $260,000 salary, with a bonus for a "significant contribution."[31] In 1977 and 1978, Palmer won 20 and 21 games, respectively. Despite the 20 wins in 1977, the Orioles almost refused to give him a bonus. After the Major League Baseball Players Association filed a grievance in Palmer's dispute and threatened to go to arbitration (which likely would have resulted in Palmer becoming a free agent), GM Hank Peters relented and gave him the bonus.[32] During the period spanning 1970 to 1978, Palmer had won 20 games in every season except for 1974. During those eight 20-win seasons, he pitched between 274+1⁄3 and 319 innings per year, leading the league in innings pitched four times and earned run average twice. During that span, he threw between 17 and 25 complete games each year.[33] Frustrated that pitchers who had become free agents like Vida Blue and Bert Blyleven were making more money than him in 1979, Palmer told a reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press "I'm going to aggravate [the Orioles] until they trade me."[34] Weaver responded by pinning a note to his locker that said, "Happy Father's Day. Now grow up."[35] "He's right he's underpaid...He's worth a million dollars when he's pitching but he signed for $260,000."[35] Palmer eventually got over being discontent, and the team won the AL pennant.[36] Weaver tabbed Palmer to start Game 1 of the ALCS against the Angels; though Palmer asked him to start Mike Flanagan, the 1979 Cy Young Award winner, instead, Weaver valued Palmer's experience. Matched up against Ryan, Palmer allowed three runs in nine innings, taking a no-decision as he left with the game tied. The Orioles won in the 10th on a John Lowenstein home run and won the series 3–1.[37]
1980s
From 1980 through 1985, Palmer was hampered by arm fatigue and myriad minor injuries. Even so, he brought a stabilizing veteran presence to the pitching staff. In 1981, Palmer got into a feud with Doug DeCinces after DeCinces missed a line drive hit by Alan Trammell in a game against the Tigers. According to DeCinces, Palmer "was cussing me out and throwing his hands in the air" after the play. "Those balls have to be caught," Palmer told a paper. "Doug is reluctant to get in front of a ball." "I'd like to know where Jim Palmer gets off criticizing others," DeCinces responded. "Ask anybody–they're all sick of it. We're a twenty-four man team–and one prima donna. He thinks it's always someone else's fault." The feud simmered until June, when Weaver said, "I see no cause for concern. The third baseman wants the pitcher to do a little better and the pitcher wants the third baseman to do a little better. I hope we can all do better and kiss and make up...The judge gave me custody of both of them."[38] Palmer ultimately blamed Brooks Robinson for the dispute: "If Brooks hadn't been the best third-baseman of all time, the rest of the Orioles wouldn't have taken it for granted that any ball hit anywhere within the same county as Brooks would be judged perfectly, fielded perfectly, and thrown perfectly, nailing (perfectly) what seemed like every single opposing batter."[39]
After Palmer posted a 6.84 ERA in five starts, GM Hank Peters announced that "Palmer is never, ever, ever going to start another game in an Orioles uniform. I've had it."[40][41] Weaver moved Palmer to the bullpen, but with the team needing another starter, he put Palmer back in the rotation in June. Shortly thereafter, Palmer went on an 11-game winning streak.[42]
Palmer's final major-league victory was noteworthy: pitching in relief of Mike Flanagan in the third game of the 1983 World Series, he faced the Phillies' celebrity-studded batting order and gave up no runs in a close Oriole win.
The 17 years between Palmer's first World Series win in 1966 and the 1983 win is the longest period of time between first and last pitching victories in the World Series for an individual pitcher in major league history. He also became the only pitcher in major league baseball history to have won World Series games in three decades. Also, Palmer became the only player in Orioles history to appear in all six (1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1979, 1983) of their World Series appearances to date.
Palmer was the only Orioles player on the 1983 championship team to have previously won a World Series. He retired after being released by Baltimore during the 1984 season. He retired with a 268–152 win–loss record and a 2.86 ERA. Palmer was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1990, his first year of eligibility.
Early broadcasting career
While still an active player, Palmer did color commentary for ABC for their coverage of the 1978, 1980 and 1982 American League Championship Series, 1981 American League Division Series between Oakland and Kansas City, and the 1981 World Series.
From 1985 to 1989, Palmer formed an announcing team with Al Michaels and Tim McCarver at ABC. Palmer announced the 1985 World Series, where he was supposed to team with Michaels and Howard Cosell, whom Palmer had worked with on the previous year's ALCS. McCarver replaced Cosell for the World Series at the last minute after Cosell released a book (I Never Played the Game) that was critical of the ABC Sports team. The team of Palmer, Michaels and McCarver would subsequently go on to call the 1986 All-Star Game (that year, Palmer worked with Michaels on the ALCS while McCarver teamed with Keith Jackson on ABC's coverage of the National League Championship Series), the 1987 World Series, and 1988 All-Star Game as well as that year's NLCS.
Palmer was present at San Francisco's Candlestick Park on October 17, 1989, when the Loma Prieta earthquake hit prior to Game 3 of the World Series.[43] After the 1989 season, ABC lost its contract to broadcast baseball to CBS. Palmer had earned $350,000 from ABC that year for appearing on around ten regular season broadcasts and making a few postseason appearances.[44]
In 1990, the
Comeback attempt
In 1991, Palmer attempted a comeback with the Orioles. He explained in his 1996 book, "I wanted to see if I could be like Nolan Ryan was to the game or what George Blanda was to football."[45] ESPN, which was trying to cut expenses, had asked him to take a pay cut and to sign a three-year contract. Palmer said he would sign a one-year contract for less pay, but ESPN refused. "I wouldn't be here today if the broadcasting climate had been more to my liking. That was really my prime motivation, the fact that I no longer had that obligation", Palmer said during spring training.[46]
Covering Palmer's spring training workouts, Richard Hoffer of Sports Illustrated said that Palmer's comeback was not entirely about money. He wrote that "it is fair to suspect that a certain vanity is involved."[47] Hoffer said that Palmer "has failed to excite either ridicule or astonishment. He's in fabulous condition, no question. But no matter whom he lines up with on the row of practice mounds, there is more pop in the gloves of catchers other than his."[47] "I couldn't throw ninety-five miles an hour anymore," Palmer later reflected. "The best I could do was eighty."[45]
While working out at the University of Miami during his comeback attempt, Palmer was approached by Miami assistant coach Lazaro Collazo. Collazo reportedly told him, "You'll never get into the Hall of Fame with those mechanics." "I'm already in the Hall of Fame", Palmer replied.[47] To help Palmer's pitching motion, Collazo and Palmer completed unusual drills that involved Palmer placing a knee or foot on a chair as he tossed the ball.[47]
After giving up five hits and two runs in two innings of a spring training game, he retired permanently. Palmer said that he tore his hamstring while warming up for the game, commenting, "I'm not saying I wouldn't like to continue, but I can't", he said. "I heard something pop in my leg yesterday. It wasn't a nice sound. I don't know what that means, but I think it's going to play havoc with my tennis game."[48]
Return to broadcasting
From 1994 to 1995, Palmer returned to ABC (this time, via a revenue-sharing joint venture between Major League Baseball, ABC and NBC called The Baseball Network) to once again broadcast with Tim McCarver and Al Michaels. In 1995, the reunited team of Palmer, McCarver and Michaels would call the All-Star Game, Game 3 of that NLDS between Cincinnati and Los Angeles, Game 4 of the NLDS between Atlanta and Colorado, Games 1–2 of the NLCS, and Games 1, 4–5 of the World Series. Palmer, McCarver and Michaels were also intended to call the previous year's World Series for ABC, but were denied the opportunity when the entire postseason was canceled due to a strike. He is currently a color commentator on MASN's television broadcasts of Oriole games.
In July 2012, Palmer put up for auction his three Cy Young Award trophies and two of his four Gold Glove Awards. "At this point in my life, I would rather concern myself with the education of my grandchildren", he said.[49] Palmer also noted that his autistic teenage stepson would require special care and that "my priorities have changed."[49] Palmer had put up for auction one of his Cy Young Award trophies on behalf of a fundraising event for cystic fibrosis in years past, although he stated the winning bidder "had paid $39,000 for that and never ever took it. It was for the cause."[49]
Legacy
Palmer is the only pitcher in big-league history to
He was a mainstay in the rotation during Baltimore's six pennant-winning teams in the 1960s (1966 and 1969), 1970s (1970, 1971 and 1979) and 1980s (1983). With the passing of Mike Cuellar in 2010, Palmer became the last surviving member of the 1971 Baltimore starting rotation that included four 20-game winners. Palmer won spots on six All-Star teams, received four Gold Glove Awards and won three Cy Young Awards. He led the league in ERA twice and in wins three times.
Sometimes, Palmer would shift fielders around during games. He never meddled with the best fielders, such as the Robinsons or Paul Blair, but he would do so for less experienced players. "They might not know...that if they're playing a step or two to the opposite field and you're behind the batter two balls and no strikes...and you have a big lead...you're probably going to take a little off the pitch...and the fielders have to know to shift a couple of steps and play for the batter to pull."[50]
In 1999, he ranked No. 64 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players,[51] and was nominated as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.
Endorsements
During the late 1970s and 1980s, Palmer was a spokesman and underwear model for
From 1992 until 1999, he was frequently seen on television throughout the United States in commercials for
He was also the spokesperson for Nationwide Motors Corp., which is a regional chain of car dealerships located in the Middle Atlantic region. He is currently a spokesman for the national "Strike Out High Cholesterol" campaign.[52] Additionally, Palmer serves as a member of the advisory board of the Baseball Assistance Team, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping former Major League, Minor League, and Negro league players through financial and medical difficulties.
Personal life
Shortly after graduating from high school in 1963, Palmer married the former Susan Ryan in 1964. He has two daughters with Ryan, named Jamie and Kelly. Ryan was not a huge baseball fan, as Palmer recalled: "She used to bring her knitting and/or a friend, who usually liked baseball even less, to the games."[53]
In 2007, Palmer married the former Susan Earle, who has an adult son with autism.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders
- Major League Baseball titles leaders
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
- List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise
References
- ^ Mueller, Bobby "Jack Morris: the winningest pitcher of the 1980s", The Hardball Times, Thursday, January 26, 2012
- ^ Jim Palmer (broadcaster biography) Archived 2011-08-11 at the Wayback Machine. Baltimore Orioles (2018-05-24). Retrieved on 2018-06-30.
- ^ Kurkjian, Tim. "The grand slam...unusual, yet fun" ESPN The Magazine, August 17, 2006
- ^ World Series Records: Feats & Streaks – Major League Baseball (MLB). Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved on 2018-06-30.
- ^ Goldstein, Richard "Mike Cuellar, Star Pitcher for Orioles, Dies at 72" The New York Times, Monday, April 5, 2010
- ^ Jim Palmer (biography) National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
- ^ Jim Palmer (biography). Premiere Speakers Bureau.
- ^ Jim Palmer (biography). CMG Worldwide.
- ISBN 978-0-07-138425-4.
- ^ a b c Sheinin, Dave (May 10, 2018). "Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer long wondered if he's related to JFK. At 72, he learned the truth". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 11, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Palmer and Dale, p. 1
- ^ Palmer and Dale, p. 45
- ^ Palmer and Dale, p. 3
- ^ Palmer and Dale, p. 5
- ^ a b c d e f g Armour, Mark. "Jim Palmer". SABR. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ Palmer and Dale, p. 8
- ^ Palmer and Dale, pp. 9-10
- ^ a b "Jim Palmer 1967 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ Palmer and Dale, pp. 10-11
- ^ Kendall, Jordan. "Orioles Great Jim Palmer On No-Hitter 51 Years Ago, Memories From Minor Leagues," PressBox (Baltimore, MD), Thursday, August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020
- ^ Palmer and Dale, p. 13
- ISBN 978-1-4391-0693-8.
- ^ Palmer and Dale, p. 16
- ^ Palmer and Dale, pp. 16-17
- ^ "Jim Palmer 1969 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ 100 Things Orioles Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Dan Connolly, Triumph Books, Chicago, 2015, ISBN 978-1-62937-041-5, p.213
- ^ Palmer and Dale, p. 47
- ^ Fimrite, Ron (July 21, 1975). "Kings Of The Hill Again". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ "New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, July 27, 1976". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- ^ Palmer and Dale, pp. 67-70
- ^ Palmer and Dale, pp. 75-76
- ^ Palmer and Dale, pp. 76-77
- ^ "Jim Palmer". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ Palmer and Dale, pp. 123-24
- ^ a b Palmer and Dale, p. 124
- ^ Palmer and Dale, p. 125
- ^ Palmer and Dale, pp. 129-31
- ^ Palmer and Dale, pp. 139–41
- ISBN 978-1250033048.
- ^ Palmer and Dale, p. 151
- ^ "Jim Palmer 1982 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
- ^ Palmer and Dale, pp. 152-53
- ISBN 9781633194625.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ a b Hyman, Mark (February 12, 1990). "Jim Palmer more than ever an ex-ballplayer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ a b Palmer and Dale, p. 168
- ^ White, George (February 24, 1991). "Spring fever: Can Hall Of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer be a comeback kid at 45?". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ a b c d Hoffer, Richard (March 11, 1991). "Hope Flings Eternal". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- ^ Schmuck, Peter (March 13, 1991). "Palmer announces end to attempted comeback". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Jim Palmer puts Cy Young Awards up for auction". USA Today. Associated Press. July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
- ^ Palmer and Dale, pp. 110-11
- ^ "100 Greatest Baseball Players by The Sporting News : A Legendary List by Baseball Almanac". Baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
- ^ Official Site of the Round Rock Express. Roundrockexpress.com. Retrieved on 2018-06-30.
- ^ Palmer and Dale, p. 37
- ^ Siegel, Andrea (2008-09-28). "Nest of a former Oriole". The Baltimore Sun. p. RE2.
- Palmer, Jim; Dale, Jim (1996). Palmer and Weaver: Together We Were Eleven Foot Nine. Kansas City: Andrews and McMeel. ISBN 0-8362-0781-5.
External links
- Jim Palmer at the Baseball Hall of Fame
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Jim Palmer at the SABR Baseball Biography Project
- Jim Palmer at IMDb