Palmer Gives It Up : He Retires Again After Hamstring Tear

SARASOTA, Fla. — A day after his first appearance in seven years, Jim Palmer retired again.

The 45-year-old Hall of Famer abandoned his comeback attempt Tuesday, citing the hamstring injury he aggravated before Monday’s exhibition against the Boston Red Sox.

“I talked to Frank Robinson this morning,” the three-time Cy Young Award winner said. “He said, ‘Are you sure?’ I said, ‘I’m not, but my leg is.”’

Palmer was pounded by the Red Sox, giving up five hits and two runs in two innings. He threw 38 pitches--none over 75 m.p.h. And of 19 strikes, Boston batters swung and missed only once.

“It’s sad, because you’re rooting for it to materialize,” Baltimore General Manager Roland Hemond said. “It’s still a positive thing. He showed our young players what a career means to a great player.”

Palmer had been bothered by hamstring soreness since he first began working out at the University of Miami in December, but he apparently tore it while warming up for his exhibition debut. He said then that if he was still hobbled Tuesday, he would give up his comeback attempt.

Palmer, who was trying to become the first Hall of Famer to return to the majors, packed up and left the club’s Twin Lakes Park training facility to spend the next few days recuperating at his Key Biscayne apartment.

“I appreciate the Orioles giving me the chance to do this,” Palmer said. “The players have been terrific. It has been a very pleasant experience.”

Palmer was 268-152 in a 19-year career that ended when Baltimore released him in May of 1984.

“He looked like the same Jim Palmer I faced in 1984,” said Boston’s Wade Boggs. Palmer was 0-3 with a 9.17 ERA when he was released.

Palmer said Monday that the comeback lost a lot of its personal appeal, but stayed with it because he felt he owed it to all the people who supported the effort.

On Tuesday he said that even though the comeback failed, it was a positive experience because the friendships he made and the knowledge he gained will help him as a television commentator.