Agent Says Orioles Plan to Invite Palmer to Camp

Jim Palmer’s bid to return to the major leagues was given a boost Tuesday when his agent said the Baltimore Orioles indicated that they will invite the 45-year-old Hall of Famer to spring training.

“The Orioles have let us know they’re interested in inviting Jim,” said Ron Shapiro, Palmer’s agent. “At this point we’re talking about the terms of the invitation.”

Palmer would be invited as a non-roster player. Shapiro said early negotiations primarily centered on Palmer’s salary if he should make the team.

Shapiro said he hoped negotiations would be finalized by the time the team’s pitchers and catchers report to camp in Sarasota, Fla., Thursday. Palmer was not available for comment. Shapiro said the pitcher spent much of Tuesday packing and traveling from Miami to Baltimore.

The Orioles had no announcement by early Tuesday evening and General Manager Roland Hemmond did not return phone calls from the Associated Press.

Palmer won 268 games during his 19-year career with the Orioles and was inducted into the Hall of Fame last summer. But he always resented the way his career ended--the Orioles let him go early in the 1984 season--and a few months ago Palmer began working out.

Explaining he had revised his delivery to maximize his potential, Palmer said his fastballhad been clocked in excess of 85 m.p.h.