He’s 75 now, half a lifetime removed from his playing days, but there will still be a twitch in Jim Palmer’s right arm Thursday when baseball season arrives.
No pitcher in Orioles lore has christened the campaign like Palmer, the high-kicking stylist who won five of six Opening Day starts, including two shutouts, two three-hitters and three complete games. His only loss: a 2-1 defeat to the Texas Rangers’ Bert Blyleven, a 10-inning duel in 1977 in which both Hall of Famers went the distance.
Those five victories are a team record for Palmer, now an Orioles broadcaster, who likens Opening Day starts to pitching in the postseason.