1966 Topps - Jim Palmer

You have to wonder if Jim had any idea while posing for this, his first Topps “Rookie” card, (probably taken early spring somewhere in the Grape Fruit League), that by the end of the season he would lead an already established Orioles pitching staff in wins with a 15-10 record and a 3.46 ERA in 30 starts. 

Could he have imagined he’d be the winning pitcher on the day the Orioles clinched the America League Pennant, throwing a 5-hitter against Kansas City?  

Or that he would pitch the second game of the 66’ World Series against Koufax, the most dominating pitcher in baseball, and walk away with a 4 hit shutout winning 6-0?

A Rookie season for the ages to be sure. All this and still to young (20) to buy a beer. 

Palmer's 1966 Stats:   G: 123    W: 15    L: 10    PCT: .600    ERA: 3.46   SO: 147   IP: 208