David Palmer (baseball)

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.

Early life

Palmer was a star pitcher for the Glens Falls High School baseball team until he graduated in 1976. He pitched alongside fellow future Major League Baseball pitcher Dave LaPoint.

Montreal

Palmer was drafted by the Montreal Expos 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.

Atlanta

Palmer was signed by the Atlanta Braves on February 13, 1986, shortly before pitchers and catchers were to report...
Read More