Jim Palmer To Be Honored Saturday; Former Teammate McGregor Says Palmer 'Determined' To Be Great
The Orioles honor Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer on Saturday with the unveiling of a bronze statue in the Legends Garden/picnic grounds of Camden Yards. Although known to younger fans as a current O's broadcaster, area youth should know that Palmer is one of the greatest pitchers of ALL TIME! Palmer owns a 268-152 record. He was a 6-time All Star, 3-time World Series champ, 3-time Cy Young Award winner, 4-time Gold Glover and an 8-time 20-game winner!!!!
What made Jim Palmer great? Former Orioles pitcher and Palmer teammate Scott McGregor joined The Norris & Davis Show and said 'He (Palmer) hated to lose. He had an incredible work ethic. And, he was just mentally tough and determined every night to go out there and put a zero on the board. He was athletic, fielded his position, he threw strikes, located his fastball, and he had a great game plan and approach to the game.'
With the resume mentioned a paragraph ago, where is Jim Palmer in the history of baseball? McGregor noted 'Well, God. He's up there! When I came up in '76 he had just won like 20 games for like the 8th year in a row, 3-Cy Young awards. I mean, Come on. Who has done that?' Listen to entire interview here:
Podcast
Jim Palmer was immortalized in Cooperstown, NY on August 7, 1990. Saturday will be a great day for young Orioles fans to learn or re-discover the 'real' Jim Palmer their parents knew growing up. All fans attending Saturday's game against the Tigers will receive an exact miniature replica sculpture of Mr. Palmer's larger-than-life statue. Game time at Camden Yards is 4:05pm.
