Jim Palmer

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

James Alvin Palmer was born in Manhattan, New York City, on October 15, 1945. Research conducted by his third wife Susan in 2017 revealed that his biological father and mother were Michael Joseph Geheran and Mary Ann Moroney, both Irish immigrants from Counties Leitrim and Clare, respectively. Joe was a married 41-year-old man about town, while Mary Ann was an unmarried 37-year-old domestic worker for the Feinstein family which was prominent in the garment industry. Moroney gave up her infant for adoption and concealed information in the New York City birth registry, where Palmer is listed as Baby Boy Kennedy, whose father was Maroney and mother was Kennedy. Maroney was the incorrect spelling of her surname as listed when she registered at Ellis Island, while Kennedy was her sister Katharine's married name. Moroney eventually married John Lane and the couple had a daughter, Patricia, Palmer's biological half-sister, who died of leukemia at age 40 in 1987. As of May 2018, the Palmers were still searching for Patricia Lane's daughter, whose married name is Kimberly Hughes and who would be Jim Palmer's half-niece. Geheran died in 1959 and Moroney died in 1979. Two days after his birth, Palmer was adopted by Moe Wiesen and his wife Polly, a wealthy Manhattan dress designer and a boutique owner, respectively, who lived on Park Avenue. His sister Bonnie was the biological daughter of Moe and Polly Wiesen. The family's butler taught the young Jim to throw a baseball in Central Park. After his adoptive father died of a heart attack in 1955, nine-year-old Jim, his mother and his sister moved to Beverly Hills, California, where he began playing in youth-league baseball. In 1956, his mother married actor Max Palmer, but Jim continued to use the surname Palmer.

In Their Own Story

In 1966, just nine days before his 21st birthday, Palmer faced Sandy Koufax in Game 2 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium. He delivered a complete-game shutout, defeating the defending champions 6–0 and helping the Orioles sweep the series. The victory was part of a record-setting streak where Orioles pitchers threw 33+1⁄3 consecutive scoreless innings. However, his career nearly ended shortly after when he injured his arm using a paint roller in 1966. By 1967, his arm felt heavy, and he was sent to the minors, where he surrendered the only grand slam of his professional career to Johnny Bench. Facing waivers and the expansion draft in 1968 with no Orioles appearances, Palmer considered quitting until a pharmaceutical representative named Marvin Foxman suggested Indocin.

Reader's Guide

A high-kicking pitcher known for an exceptionally smooth delivery, Palmer picked up his first major-league win on May 16, 1965, beating the Yankees in relief at home. He hit the first of his three career major-league home runs, a two-run shot, in the fourth inning of that game, off Yankees starter Jim Bouton. Palmer finished the season with a 5–4 record. In 1966, Palmer joined the starting rotation. Baltimore won the pennant behind Frank Robinson's MVP and Triple Crown season. Palmer won his final game, against the Kansas City Athletics, to clinch the AL pennant. In Game 2 of that World Series, at Dodger Stadium, he became the youngest pitcher (20 years, 11 months) to pitch a shutout, defeating the defending world champion Dodgers 6–0. The underdog Orioles swept the series over a Los Angeles team that featured Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Claude Osteen. The shutout was part of a World Series record-setting consecutive shutout innings by Orioles pitchers. The Dodgers' last run was against Moe Drabowsky in the third inning of Game 1. Palmer, Wally Bunker and Dave McNally pitched shutouts in the next three games. During the next two seasons, Palmer struggled with arm injuries. He had injured his arm in 1966 while using a paint roller in his new house in Baltimore. Cortisone injections allowed him to pitch through the rest of the season and the World Series, but in 1967, his arm continued to feel heavy. He threw a one-hit game against the New York Yankees on May 12 but was sent to the minor leagues after a poor start against the Boston Red Sox five days later. While trying to make it back with the Rochester Red Wings in Rochester, New York, Palmer surrendered the only grand slam in his entire professional career, which was hit by the Buffalo Bisons' Johnny Bench. He only pitched three more games for the Orioles in 1967. In 1968, he was limited to 10 minor league games, with no appearances for the Orioles. The outlook on his career was so uncertain that the source does not provide further details.

Did You Know?

• Palmer never allowed a grand slam in any major league contest, though he surrendered one in the minor leagues to Johnny Bench.
• He was nicknamed 'Cakes' in the 1960s because of his habit of eating pancakes for breakfast on the days he pitched.
• Palmer is the only pitcher in history to earn a win in a World Series game in three different decades.
• His biological parents were Irish immigrants; he was adopted two days after birth by Moe Wiesen and Polly.

Dominance in the 1970s

James Alvin Palmer defined professional baseball excellence throughout the 1970s, establishing himself as the league's most prolific winner with an incredible 186 victories during that decade. His consistency was unmatched, as he recorded at least 20 wins in eight separate seasons, a feat that underscored his reliability as a frontline starter for the Baltimore Orioles. This era of dominance earned him three prestigious Cy Young Awards and four Gold Gloves, recognizing both his pitching mastery and defensive prowess on the mound. A unique statistical anomaly further highlighted his control: Palmer never allowed a grand slam in any major league contest throughout his career. His contributions were instrumental in securing seven Eastern Division titles for Baltimore, cementing his status as a cornerstone of one of the franchise's most successful periods.

Historic Postseason Achievements

Palmer's legacy is deeply intertwined with postseason success, marked by eight appearances and three World Series championships. He holds the singular distinction of being the only pitcher in history to record a World Series win across three different decades, showcasing remarkable longevity at the highest level. His early promise was evident when he became the youngest pitcher ever to throw a complete-game shutout in a World Series, achieving this feat just nine days before his 21st birthday in 1966 against Sandy Koufax. Furthermore, he was part of an elite rotation in 1971 that featured four different pitchers winning 20 games in a single season, a rare occurrence in modern baseball history. These accomplishments solidified his reputation as a clutch performer who thrived when the stakes were highest.

Adoption and Early Development

Born in Manhattan to Irish immigrants Michael Geheran and Mary Ann Moroney, Palmer's early life involved adoption. At two days old, Moe and Polly Wiesen adopted him; after his adoptive father died in 1955, the family moved to Beverly Hills. Palmer became an athletic prodigy at Scottsdale High School, earning All-State honors in baseball, basketball, and football with strong grades. Orioles scouts Jim Russo and Jim Wilson signed him after polite meetings with his family and despite a knee injury requiring surgery. The deal was $50,000; he chose to be known as James Alvin Palmer rather than Wiesen.

Life Beyond the Diamond

Following his retirement in 1984 after 19 seasons with Baltimore, where he remains the franchise's all-time winningest pitcher with 268 victories, Palmer transitioned successfully into media and endorsements. He became a beloved color commentator for ABC, ESPN, and various Orioles broadcast networks including HTS, CSN Mid-Atlantic, and MASN, sharing his deep knowledge of the game with fans nationwide. His public profile extended to advertising, most notably as the long-time spokesman for Jockey International for nearly two decades. Known affectionately by the nickname "Cakes" due to his habit of eating pancakes on pitching days, Palmer was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990 during his first year of eligibility. His post-playing career reflects a continued connection to baseball culture and a lasting impact as both an analyst and a cultural icon.