Jim Palmer

Starting Pitcher
Cleveland Barons (ATL, BRO)
1966-1982

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Jim Palmer was selected first overall in the 1966 rookie draft by the lowly Atlanta Hilltoppers. Matching his lofty draft status, Palmer featured in the best moments/high points of two different UL franchises, and was among the very best players of his generation before his career was cruelly cut short by injury. Throughout his time in the UL, injuries limited his opportunities and effectiveness, keeping him out of the 1967 World Series, and limiting his innings pitched in his early, most effective, years. Barring the extensive injuries, the dude walks into the Hall. But in the event, his case rests largely on the first seven or eight years of his career, his rate stats and truly vital team contributions, rather than career totals.

That 1966 draft was remarkable in that it  saw an incredible run on pitchers, with the first 14 picks in the draft being hurlers—including the likes of Fergie Jenkins, Fritz Peterson, Don Sutton, and Ken Holtzman—and Palmer stood above them all.

Consider his impact on the Red Blobs. Louisville/Atlanta finished last in runs allowed four consecutive seasons 1963-66. The Toppers (nee Colonels) lost a staggerinng 100 games for four straight years. Enter the hero. Palmer was a late season call-up in ‘66, going 2-1 with a 3.20 ERA in four September starts. His career took off the following year, when he joined the Toppers rotation full time. Dude started 28 games in 1967, his first full season in the bigs, going 20-5 with a 3.13 ERA in 218 IP. The team swung from 106 losses in 1966 to 99 wins and a World Series title in 1967. But classic Iron Mike injury shenanigans ruled him out of the postseason. In 1968, Palmer again won 20 games, this time in 268 innings.

Unfortunately, his career was disrupted by injury in 1969 and again in 70, missing several months of his peak years. It was in this period that he was traded to the Cleveland Barons in one of many now-notorious Qualls/Reed mega-trades. This one involved 16 players and picks changing teams, but it can essentially be boiled down to Palmer for Bernie Allen. Yes, the Bernie Allen that was elected to the Hall in 1983. Surprise! Going from the launching pad in Atlanta to Charlie’s pitcher-friendly confines backed by eight leather hounds did wonders for Palmer’s rate stats. Indeed, his first full season in Cleveland was perhaps his best, as Palm-dizzle pulled down the 1971 Cy Young Award and the first of two consecutive Ullies.

He was not as dominant in 1973, but no less important to his team’s success, as he helped the Barons to their first division pennant and World Series appearance in six seasons. That year, he authored a no-hitter against the Washington Monuments. So his contribution really was crucial in that season. To that point, August of 1973, Palmer had a 105-58 record and his .644 winning percentage ranked fourth among active pitchers with at least 50 decisions. I mean, there’s no doubt this guy was really, really good and on a clear trajectory to Beachville.

But let’s finish up on 1973. That World Series was that incredible seven-game tilt decided in the 13th inning of the final game. Palm-dog played his part in that series, starting and winning game 3 when his team was trailing two games to none. But on the other hand, he took the loss in a potentially deciding game six, when the Barons were just a game away from their much-desired trophy. Indeed, the 1973 Game 6 set-up was exactly like that in the 1965 Series, when Cleveland also led Chicago three games to two, only to release their grip on the trophy in agonizing fashion.

In 1974, Palmer was the fourth starter on a Cleveland team that featured Big Daddy, J.R. Richard and Burt Hooton “hears a who”. Even amidst that constellation of pitching luminaries, Palmer tied for the team lead with 16 wins, and authored the playoff-clinching victory on the penultimate day of the season. Palmer didn’t pitch in the ’74 playoffs, passed over for his more illustrious stable mates, in what is another classic heartbreaker for CBQ. Atlanta won the series in six games, coming from behind in all four victories, with three one-run affairs and an extra-inning loss thrown in for good measure. Oh the horror!  

So what are we left with? I think it’s clear that his injury history explains why his 1965 draft classmates Fergie Jenkins and Fritz Peterson beat him into Beachville on the strength of long, productive careers. In Palmer’s case, his last good year was at the age of 31 (3.7 FIP and 3.4 WAR) in 1977. The following year, he sustained a torn rotator cuff, for all intents and purposes ending his UL career at the age of 32. In contrast, Fergie remained effective all the way through 1983, his age 40 season. Palmer started strong and ranked among the best pitchers in the league for seven or eight years, and was involved in some epic moments for both Atlanta and Cleveland. His election to the Hall hinges on your assessment of peak value versus career totals, and looking at his massive contribution to the glory (agony? Sorry Qualls!) years of two original eight UL franchises. (Glen Reed)