Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer, aged nineteen, made his Major League debut on May 16, 1965 when he came on in relief to pitch 3.2 innings. The O’s defeated the Yankees, 7-2, and Palmer recorded his first major league win. To top it all off, Palmer also managed to hit a two-run home run off Yankees starting pitcher Jim Bouton in the fourth inning. Palmer would finish the season with a 5-4 record.
Fun fact: The three starters for the O’s in the ’66 World Series–Palmer, Dave McNally, and Wally Bunker–averaged just over 21 years of age. I have ties older than that.
Wow. I was totally unaware. Thanks for the tidbit!