Baseball hall of famer to talk about life lessons

Former Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver once said, "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."

Although Weaver and Jim Palmer didn't always see eye to eye, the Hall of Fame pitcher will be sharing what he has learned today at 8 p.m. in Schwab Auditorium.

Palmer pitched for the Baltimore Orioles for 21 seasons and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1990. Palmer will be sharing his experiences tonight and teaching people how to commit themselves spiritually, intellectually, physically and emotionally.

"It's helped me be a more aware person," Palmer said of his baseball experience. "You decide who you are your role models, and who you want to emulate. A lot of the things you use in baseball apply to other things as well."

Palmer currently resides in Florida six months out of the year and spends the other six in Baltimore. He broadcasts Orioles games and works for Jockey and The Money Store.

He said he doesn't give many motivational speeches, but he is looking forward to coming to Penn State. This will be his first visit to Happy Valley, although his workout partner graduated from Penn State and has told him many things about it.

Palmer's statistics would make any pitcher jealous. He won the Cy Young award three times, the Gold Glove four times and 20 or more games in eight different seasons.

He also lays claim to some unusual feats. He never gave up a grand slam in his major league career, and he is the only pitcher to win a World Series game in three different decades.

Statistics do not tell the whole Palmer story, though. He was known as the "perfect gentleman" of baseball and led his Orioles to six American League pennants and three World Series crowns.

Palmer's presentation is free and part of the University's Distinguished Speaker Series. There will be an autograph session following his speech.