David Palmer was disabled every year from 1980 through 1988. He came to the Expos with a live fastball and superb control (he set a Florida State League record in 1978 by pitching 37 consecutive innings without issuing a walk) and notched a club-record eight consecutive victories after being placed in Montreal’s starting rotation in 1979. He finished the year at 10-2, 2.63, but needed knee surgery after the season. He missed all of 1981 and 1983 after elbow operations, but returned with determination in 1984. In his second start, on April 21, he retired all 15 Cardinals he faced for a five-inning, rain-shortened perfect game. By August he was out again with shoulder stiffness. He signed as a free agent with Atlanta after another stint on the DL in 1985 and recorded career highs of 11 wins and 35 starts in 1986 before his elbow woes returned.
