Happy 24th anniversary, Jim Palmer.
On January 9, 1990, the Baltimore Orioles three-time Cy Young award winner was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Palmer compiled 268 wins over 19 seasons with a 2.86 ERA, 1.180 WHIP, 5.0 K/9 and 1.69 K/BB.
He was an All-Star six times (1970, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1977 and 1978) won four Gold Gloves (1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979), pitches a no-hitter on August 13, 1969 and was a part of all three Orioles World Series champion teams (1966, 1970 and 1983). Palmer posted an 8.4 WAR in 1975 when he won a career-high 23 games and picked up his second Cy Young award.
But my favorite Jim Palmer stat?
He never gave up a grand slam — over 3,948 innings pitched!
Cakes was elected in his first year of eligibility along with two-time MVP Joe Morgan. He received 92.6 percent of the vote.
…And yet we’re debating whether ZERO time Cy Young Award winning, ZERO no-hitters, ZERO World Series Championship winning, 3.68 ERA (OK, I admit it, that’s pretty damned good for his era), 5-time All Star, winner of 20 games ONCE, Mike Mussina is an HOFer?!?!