Orioles Jim Palmer Gives Up Minor League Grand Slam

Jim Palmer was the unquestioned ace of the Baltimore Orioles during the 1970’s, and one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. He had a number of incredible accomplishments, such as not allowing a grand slam in the Majors. That does not mean his minor league career was without blemishes however.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer had quite a few impressive accomplishments throughout his career. A three time Cy Young award winner, he is the only pitcher to win World Series games in three different decades, never allowed a grand slam or back to back home runs, and brought home four Gold Glove awards. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990, Palmer was peerless during his prime.

It is worth noting that those accomplishments only encompass Palmer’s Major League career. Should his minor league career be counted in his storied baseball career, then those accomplishments would change. Specifically, Palmer would not be able to claim that he never allowed a grand slam, as he was victimized on this day in 1967.

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Palmer was in the minors at that time as he was working his way into game shape from a back injury. As such, he was starting for the Rochester Red Wings against the Buffalo Bisons, the Reds AAA team. The Red Wings jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead, but Palmer would allow the only grand slam of his career, when future star Johnny Bench took Palmer deep with the bases loaded, proving to be the only blemish upon his career in that situation.

If it is any consolation to Palmer, at least Bench turned out to be one of the greats at his position. It’s not like he served up this grand slam to Steve Chilcott, or some anonymous minor leaguer who never reached the Majors, making that shot his only claim to baseball fame. Still, it likely stings a bit to know that, while he did not allow one in the Majors, there is that one grand slam in the minors.

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Jim Palmer was a great pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, and had quite a few impressive accomplishments. However, to say that he never allowed a grand slam in his career is a slight exaggeration, as he was taken deep with the bases loaded on this day in 1967.