Theyre honoring Jim Palmer tonight...I'd like to honor him too.

[Roy Firestone]

Sometimes when people are always around, you tend to take them for granted, even if occasionally. Brooks Robinson was part of the Oriole family for close to 70 years, but Jim Palmer is also an Oriole legend, who has been around for the Orioles for some 60 years.....Jim, like Brooks, only played for the Orioles. And what a career he had.He was 268-152 with a 2.86 ERA and 2,212 strikeouts. An eight-time 20-game winner, Jim led his league in innings pitched four times, wins three times and ERA twice. I've known Palmer as long as I knew Brooks, some 53 years . I knew him when he was a super star matinee Idol, and future Hall of Fame. I also knew him as a broadcaster, and off the air as a friend.

Whats often not associated with Jim, because of his dashing looks, is his great sensitivity and caring. Jim was adopted, and people in his life made him feel cared for, and those people helped make him the man, and the player he became.That left Jim was a sense of empathy.

I always thought everything came easily for Jim.

He could play all sports well, and some may not know he almost signed to play for John Wooden as a basketball player at UCLA.

Palmer had a brilliant career but it almost came to a halt at the end of 1967 when he could barely lift his arm because of tendonitis and rotator cuff tears.

He almost had to quit baseball, and actually re-thought it, thinking about giving up  pitching to become a position player.

But a chance meeting with an orthopaedic doctor at a basketball game put Jim back on the road to a major comeback.

I'll always admire Jim for his determination to pitch again and his love of his craft.

But later in life, I admired him most for his dedication to his step-son, SPENCER, who is autistic. Jim has never stopped loving that  , now, young man, and watching them together is a beautiful thing to see.

I'd like to salute my friend, "Cakes" for his allegiance to the Orioles, his loyalty and service to the franchise, but also for his loyalty and love of Spencer. Maybe you didnt see my piece about Jim and Spence I produced and wrote a few years ago.I'll include it here. Jim was a great, great player, but like Brooks, he's an even better man...and I am proud to call him my dear friend. Congratulations, "Cakes"...

 

Edited September 29, 2023 by Roy Firestone

[banks703]

To anyone (and there are a bunch) who talks smack about Jim Palmer; kick rocks

I know that a lot of folks don’t like Jim’s style and how he can miraculously remember everything it seems but look, they honored this man tonight and all that he could do was celebrate others. How can anyone not appreciate that?

[Chelsea_Phil]

It’s cool that he never gave up a grand slam.

[Billy F-Face3]

Thank you for making this thread for Jim, Roy. I think it's important take the opportunity should express our appreciation whenever we can.

Thank you, Jim. Not just for your playing career, and not only for your outstanding broadcasting career with the Orioles, but also for being an all around classy guy that everyone can appreciate. 

[accinfo]

My license tag is BALT 0022.  I outbid everyone for his number when the Oriole plates came out so you know how I feel about Jim Palmer.  My second baseball game I attended was August 13,1969, Jim’s no hitter.

[Frobby]

56 minutes ago, 4Oriolesworldseries said:

why the name, "Cakes."? 

Palmer always ate pancakes on the day of a game. 

[Roy Firestone]

1 hour ago, Frobby said:

Palmer always ate pancakes on the day of a game. 

beat me to it...BTW, he's really not into pancakes any more.

[24fps]

4 hours ago, banks703 said:

To anyone (and there are a bunch) who talks smack about Jim Palmer; kick rocks

I know that a lot of folks don’t like Jim’s style and how he can miraculously remember everything it seems but look, they honored this man tonight and all that he could do was celebrate others. How can anyone not appreciate that?

I'm trying to think of people who talk smack about Jim Palmer and the only name I come up with is Earl Weaver.  Seriously, it's been quite a while since I've heard anyone badmouth Jim Palmer.

[Osornot]

My wife LOVES his voice.  Why I just wrote this I don't know but it's true.  She says he sounds "kind"