David Palmer (baseball)
Encyclopedia
David William Palmer, Jr. (born October 19, 1957 in Glens Falls, New York
), is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher
in the Major Leagues from 1978-1989. Palmer would play for the Montreal Expos
, Atlanta Braves
, Philadelphia Phillies
, and Detroit Tigers
.
for the Glens Falls High School baseball team until he graduated in 1976. He pitched alongside fellow future Major League Baseball
pitcher Dave LaPoint
.
in the 21st round (489th overall) of the 1976 amateur entry draft
. He pitched in the Expos organization until 1985. Although he made his major league debut in 1978, he pitched only a handful of minor league games in 1981 due to injuries, and had to fight his way back from Triple-A in 1982, where he made nine minor league starts. Additionally, he did not throw a single pitch in 1983 due to injuries.
On April 21, 1984, Palmer made an unusual kind of baseball history when he threw a five-inning perfect game in the second game of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium
against the St. Louis Cardinals. Officials called the game on account of rain, and major-league baseball officials later struck the game from baseball's official list of perfect games since it only lasted five innings.
He was granted free agency on November 12, 1985.
on February 13, 1986, shortly before pitchers and catchers
were to report to spring training
. Having his best season statistically, Palmer was granted free agency on November 12, 1986. After testing the free agent waters for the second time in his career, Palmer decided to re-sign with the Braves on December 19, 1986. However, Palmer's second season in Atlanta did not prove to duplicate his first, and he was granted free agency on November 9, 1987.
on December 18, 1987. Although Palmer pitched reasonably well for the Phillies, he was released on October 13, 1988.
on February 25, 1989, shortly before the exhibition season began in spring training. Although Palmer broke camp with the Tigers, he pitched poorly and was demoted after making five starts. After making 10 minor league starts, Palmer was released by the Detroit Tigers on July 13, 1989. On July 27, 1989 Palmer signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians
. Palmer finished the season in the minor leagues, and never pitched in the major leagues with the Indians. He was released on October 26, 1989.
Glens Falls, New York
Glens Falls is a city in Warren County, New York, United States. Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,700 at the 2010 census...
), is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in the Major Leagues from 1978-1989. Palmer would play for the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
, Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
.
Early life
Palmer was a star pitcherPitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Glens Falls High School baseball team until he graduated in 1976. He pitched alongside fellow future Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher Dave LaPoint
Dave LaPoint
David Jeffrey LaPoint was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently the manager of the Rockland Boulders, an American professional baseball team based in Pomona, New York and member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball known as the Can-Am League.-Early life and...
.
Montreal
Palmer was drafted by the Montreal ExposMontreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
in the 21st round (489th overall) of the 1976 amateur entry draft
1976 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
. He pitched in the Expos organization until 1985. Although he made his major league debut in 1978, he pitched only a handful of minor league games in 1981 due to injuries, and had to fight his way back from Triple-A in 1982, where he made nine minor league starts. Additionally, he did not throw a single pitch in 1983 due to injuries.
On April 21, 1984, Palmer made an unusual kind of baseball history when he threw a five-inning perfect game in the second game of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
against the St. Louis Cardinals. Officials called the game on account of rain, and major-league baseball officials later struck the game from baseball's official list of perfect games since it only lasted five innings.
He was granted free agency on November 12, 1985.
Atlanta
Palmer was signed by the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
on February 13, 1986, shortly before pitchers and catchers
Catchers
Catchers was an Irish indie pop band formed in 1993 and led by singer-songwriter Dale Grundle. The band consisted of Dale Grundle , Alice Lemon , Peter Kelly , Ger FitzGerald , Craig Carpenter and Jonathan Lord...
were to report to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. Having his best season statistically, Palmer was granted free agency on November 12, 1986. After testing the free agent waters for the second time in his career, Palmer decided to re-sign with the Braves on December 19, 1986. However, Palmer's second season in Atlanta did not prove to duplicate his first, and he was granted free agency on November 9, 1987.
Philadelphia
Palmer was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on December 18, 1987. Although Palmer pitched reasonably well for the Phillies, he was released on October 13, 1988.
Detroit and beyond
Palmer was signed as a free agent by the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
on February 25, 1989, shortly before the exhibition season began in spring training. Although Palmer broke camp with the Tigers, he pitched poorly and was demoted after making five starts. After making 10 minor league starts, Palmer was released by the Detroit Tigers on July 13, 1989. On July 27, 1989 Palmer signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. Palmer finished the season in the minor leagues, and never pitched in the major leagues with the Indians. He was released on October 26, 1989.