David Palmer – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

David Palmer’s baseball career wrapped up quietly in 1989 when the Detroit Tigers let him go on July 13th. That move ended a decade-long journey across Major League Baseball. Palmer, a right-handed pitcher from Glens Falls, New York, managed to build a respectable career, even though injuries kept holding him back.

He played parts of ten seasons in the majors from 1978 to 1989, pitching for four teams: the Montreal Expos, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Detroit Tigers.

Palmer’s story really shows both the hope and uncertainty that come with a professional baseball career. Born on October 19, 1957, he honed his skills close to home. Eventually, Montreal Expos scouts noticed him and picked him in the 21st round of the 1976 amateur draft.

After that, his career was marked by flashes of brilliance, like a perfect game through five innings in 1984. But he also dealt with tough setbacks, especially arm troubles that led to multiple surgeries.

He battled through baseball’s highest level, showing the grit needed to overcome adversity in pro sports. Palmer broke through early with the Expos during their 1979 pennant chase, and later, he struggled with Detroit.

His career really gives a glimpse into the challenges faced by mid-level pitchers trying to stick in a tough league. Injuries, team changes, and the constant pressure to perform—Palmer lived it all, painting a real picture of life in the majors during the 1980s.

Early Life and Background

David William Palmer Jr. was born on August 19, 1957, in Glens Falls, New York, to David Palmer Sr. and Gwen (Lewis) Palmer. His dad worked as a corrections officer, and his mom was a nurse, so the family had a solid middle-class foundation.

Childhood and Education

Palmer grew up as the second of six kids. Glens Falls sat right between Montreal and New York, which ended up playing a role in his baseball interests.

As a kid, Palmer and his family would make the 3½-hour drive to Montreal to watch the Expos at Jarry Park. Those trips sparked his love for the game and gave him a real taste of pro baseball.

Palmer’s father, even though he never played baseball himself due to a childhood illness, threw himself into coaching his son. He guided Palmer from his first Little League game all the way through his last amateur American Legion contest.

“He coached my first Little League game and he coached my last amateur American Legion game,” Palmer once said. “Other than high school, he was the only coach I ever had.”

That kind of steady support and guidance helped Palmer develop his skills and confidence growing up.

High School Baseball and Early Achievements

Palmer attended Glens Falls High School and played for the Indians baseball team. During those years, he worked on his pitching but also played other positions.

Dave LaPoint, his teammate who also made it to the majors, gave him some real competition at practice. Coach Pete Davidson saw how having two good pitchers pushed both of them.

“The competition we had between ourselves was better than what we had with other teams,” LaPoint said about their rivalry.

Palmer’s high school performances caught the eye of Expos scout Bill McKenzie. McKenzie managed to convince Montreal’s front office to draft Palmer in the 21st round of the 1976 amateur draft.

That pick started Palmer’s pro baseball journey, even though most saw him as a marginal prospect at the time.

Family and Influences

Palmer’s dad played the biggest role in shaping his baseball path. Even without a background in the sport, the elder Palmer dedicated himself to coaching and supporting his son.

His mom Gwen, working as a nurse, kept the family grounded while David chased his baseball dreams. With their working-class values, Palmer learned discipline and perseverance.

Living close to Montreal helped Palmer connect with the Expos early on. That made it easier for him to understand pro baseball culture before he even joined the team.

Key Family Influences:

• Father: Coached from Little League through American Legion
• Mother: Provided stability and support as a nurse
• Siblings: Grew up in a big family with five other children
• Location: Glens Falls was right between Montreal and New York

Palmer’s upbringing really pushed hard work and dedication, qualities that helped him through his career’s ups and downs.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

David Palmer pitched professionally for ten seasons, from 1978 to 1989, playing for four teams. He had some solid achievements, but injuries definitely affected his career and how long he could play.

MLB Debut with Montreal Expos

Palmer made his MLB debut on September 9, 1978, with the Montreal Expos when he was just 20. The Expos had picked him in the 21st round (489th overall) of the 1976 draft.

Early on, Palmer showed real promise. In 1978, he set a Florida State League record by pitching 37 straight innings without a walk, showing off his control.

In 1979, he rattled off a club-record eight consecutive wins after joining Montreal’s starting rotation. That streak made him look like a reliable starter.

Palmer pitched for the Expos from 1978 to 1980, then again in 1982, 1984, and 1985. Injuries interrupted his career, and he missed all of 1983.

On April 21, 1984, Palmer threw a five-inning perfect game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Rain cut the game short, so officials later removed it from the official list of perfect games.

Playing Tenure with the Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves picked up Palmer as a free agent on February 13, 1986, right before spring training. That first year with the Braves turned out to be his best statistically.

After a strong 1986, Palmer re-signed with Atlanta on December 19, 1986. But in 1987, he couldn’t match his earlier success and struggled on the mound.

The Braves released Palmer on November 9, 1987, ending his two years with the team. Atlanta was both his high point and the start of his decline.

Season with the Philadelphia Phillies

Palmer joined the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent on December 18, 1987. He pitched decently for them in 1988, though he still faced plenty of challenges.

His time with the Phillies is mostly remembered for a blooper—he tripped over his foot and the third base bag, landing face-first in a moment that made the highlight reels.

Despite pitching reasonably well, the Phillies released him on October 13, 1988. His year in Philadelphia was another short stop in his later career.

Palmer just couldn’t shake the consistency and durability issues that had followed him for years.

Final Year with the Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers brought Palmer in as a free agent on February 25, 1989, just before spring training. It was his last shot at the majors.

Palmer made the team out of camp but struggled badly in five starts. Those rough outings led to a demotion to the minors.

He made 10 minor league starts before the Tigers released him on July 13, 1989. The Cleveland Indians signed him to a minor league deal on July 27, 1989.

Palmer finished out 1989 in the minors and never pitched in a big league game for the Indians. They released him on October 26, 1989, and that was it for his pro career.

His last major league appearance came on June 30, 1989, against the Baltimore Orioles while with Detroit.

Key Career Highlights and Achievements

David Palmer finished with a 64-59 record, a 3.78 ERA, and 748 strikeouts over 10 seasons. He had a five-inning perfect game in 1984 and an eight-game winning streak in 1979. Injuries limited his numbers, but he definitely had his moments.

Statistical Overview: Win–Loss, ERA, Strikeouts

Palmer’s career stats: 64 wins, 59 losses, and a 3.78 ERA over 213 games. He struck out 748 batters, showing he could get hitters out when healthy.

His best year was 1979, when he went 10-2 with a 2.64 ERA. Palmer won eight straight games during Montreal’s pennant race, posting a 0.82 ERA in a key 10-game team winning streak from August 28 to September 6.

Early on, Palmer was known for his control. That 37-inning walkless streak in 1978 still stands out.

But from 1980 through 1988, Palmer landed on the disabled list every year. Those injuries really cut into his totals and kept him from reaching his full potential.

Five-Inning Perfect Game with Montreal Expos

Palmer’s biggest moment came on April 11, 1984, in St. Louis during the second game of a doubleheader. He tossed a five-inning perfect game against the Cardinals, retiring all 15 batters in a 4-0 win.

Rain ended the game after five innings. Of those 15 batters, 11 grounded out, one lined out, one flied out, and two struck out.

“It was a long, long, long night,” Palmer said. “There were two or three rain delays during the first game. The game went on until after midnight.”

In 1991, MLB changed the rules—games now had to last at least nine innings to count as official no-hitters, and that was applied retroactively. Palmer’s perfect game lost its official status.

Notable Performances and Recognition

Palmer’s breakout in 1979 helped the Expos finish 95-65, just two games back of the World Series champion Pittsburgh Pirates. His late-season surge was crucial in Montreal’s first real pennant chase.

He started the 1984 season with a bang, hitting a two-run homer off Pete Falcone in his first start against the Atlanta Braves. Palmer ended his career with five home runs, not bad for a pitcher.

That eight-game winning streak in 1979 is still a club record for the Montreal Expos. Palmer kicked off that run when he joined the rotation on July 30, helping keep the Expos in the hunt during a tough September.

He played for four teams: the Montreal Expos, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Detroit Tigers. His connection to Montreal, being from nearby Glens Falls, made his success there extra special for local fans.

Challenges and Comebacks

Palmer’s career was full of injury struggles that made him miss entire seasons and forced him to keep battling back through the minors. Moving between teams as a free agent showed both his resilience and the uncertainty of his later years.

Injuries and Setbacks

Palmer hit his worst injury stretch in the early 1980s, losing almost two full seasons. In 1981, injuries limited him to just a handful of minor league games, stalling his progress with the Montreal Expos.

Things got even tougher in 1983 when Palmer didn’t throw a single pitch because of more injuries. Missing a whole season during his prime really hurt his development as a pitcher.

Those setbacks forced Palmer to start over. The injuries affected his skills and his place with the Expos, where he had been seen as a rising star.

Return to Form and Minor League Stints

After missing most of 1981 and all of 1983, Palmer had to prove himself again in 1982. He made nine minor league starts at Triple-A and worked his way back to the big leagues with the Montreal Expos.

His persistence paid off in 1984 when he made baseball history. On April 21, 1984, Palmer threw a five-inning perfect game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in a rain-shortened doubleheader.

Major League Baseball officials later took that achievement off the official perfect game list because it was only five innings. Still, that performance showed Palmer had fought his way back into form.

Free Agency and Team Transitions

Palmer hit free agency for the first time on November 12, 1985, after spending seven seasons with the Montreal Expos. The Atlanta Braves picked him up on February 13, 1986, right before spring training started.

He had his best statistical season with Atlanta in 1986. Even so, Palmer entered free agency again on November 12, 1986, but ended up re-signing with the Braves on December 19.

After a rough year in Atlanta in 1987, Palmer joined the Philadelphia Phillies on December 18, 1987. His time in Philadelphia didn’t last long, as the team released him on October 13, 1988.

The Detroit Tigers offered Palmer one last shot, signing him on February 25, 1989. Detroit sent him down to the minors after five bad starts, then released him on July 13, 1989. That move pretty much closed the book on his major league days.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

David Palmer’s baseball career came to a sudden end in 1989 after things didn’t work out with the Detroit Tigers. After leaving the game, he stayed close to baseball by coaching and focused on building his family life in the Atlanta area.

Circumstances of 1989 Retirement

Palmer’s last season turned out to be a tough way to finish. The Detroit Tigers signed him as a free agent on February 25, 1989, right before spring training.

He made the team out of camp, but his five starts for Detroit were rough. They quickly demoted him to the minors.

Palmer started 10 games in the minors before the Tigers let him go on July 13, 1989. His final big league appearance happened on June 30, 1989, against the Baltimore Orioles.

After Detroit released him, Palmer signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians on July 27, 1989. He finished out that season in the minors but never got back to the majors with Cleveland.

The Indians released him on October 26, 1989. Palmer was just 31 when he pitched in his last major league game.

Activities After Baseball

Palmer chose to settle in the Atlanta area after stepping away from professional baseball. He kept his connection to the sport by coaching at the high school level.

He worked as the pitching coach for Parkview High School in Gwinnett County, Georgia, for several years. That job let him share his major league experience with young, aspiring players.

In 2011, Palmer showed up at the Skidmore Baseball Camp, which says a lot about how much he enjoyed teaching and staying involved in player development. These coaching roles kept him close to the game he loved.

He focused mainly on coaching and mentoring young athletes, rather than chasing after business ventures or media gigs.

Personal Life and Legacy

Palmer built his family life in the Atlanta area after retiring from baseball. He has three children: John Brandon “Chili” Palmer, Liza Michelle Palmer, and Leah Victoria Palmer.

His son-in-law is David Allen, so Palmer’s family ties stayed strong in the region. He’s kept things pretty private, especially compared to some other former major leaguers.

Palmer’s baseball legacy includes his odd five-inning perfect game on April 21, 1984, against the St. Louis Cardinals. Officials later removed that game from the official perfect game list since rain cut it short.

He played for 10 seasons from 1978 to 1989, finishing with a 64-59 record and a 3.78 ERA. Palmer struck out 748 batters while pitching for four different teams.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

David Palmer’s career left a mark, even though injuries cut it short. That rain-shortened perfect game and his reputation for pinpoint control still stand out. He inspired teammates and future pitchers who saw him push through physical setbacks.

Reputation Among Peers and Fans

Palmer earned respect for his remarkable control and mental toughness. Back in 1978, he set a Florida State League record with 37 straight innings without a walk—pretty impressive, honestly.

That five-inning perfect game against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 21, 1984, kind of defined his career. Palmer retired all 15 batters he faced before a rainstorm ended the game at Busch Stadium.

Key reputation factors:

• Exceptional strike zone command
• Ability to bounce back from multiple surgeries
• Professional attitude during tough times

Fans and teammates admired how Palmer kept fighting through nine straight years on the disabled list from 1980 to 1988. His drive to keep pitching, even with elbow and shoulder problems, gave him real credibility as a competitor.

Contribution to Former Teams

Palmer made a big impact with the Montreal Expos early in his career. He set a club record with eight straight wins in 1979 after joining the rotation. That year, his 10-2 record and 2.63 ERA helped establish him as a key piece for the team.

The Atlanta Braves got a boost from Palmer’s experience after signing him as a free agent. In 1986, he notched career highs with 11 wins and 35 starts, bringing some veteran leadership to their pitching staff.

His time with the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers was short, but he still contributed as a mentor for younger players. Palmer’s knowledge of opposing hitters and game situations proved valuable to those teams.

Influence on Future Pitchers

Younger players watched Palmer closely, picking up on his preparation routines and the way he controlled the mound. Pitching coaches often used his knack for placing pitches exactly where he wanted as a teaching example.

When Palmer tried to come back from injuries, pitchers dealing with their own setbacks found inspiration in his story. He really showed that sticking with it and using the right mechanics could help you keep pitching, even after tough injuries.

His perfect game—yeah, the one that got cut short—still pops up in baseball conversations. It’s a reminder that weather can mess with even the biggest moments, and people still talk about what makes a perfect game “official.”

Palmer’s lasting influence:

• He proved that control matters more than just throwing hard
• He showed how to tackle injury rehab the right way
• Gave future pitchers a real example of mental toughness