Vicente Palacios

From BR Bullpen

Vicente Palacios Diaz

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 195 lb.

Debut September 4, 1987
Final Game May 11, 2000
Born July 19, 1963 in Manlio Fabio Altamirano, Veracruz Mexico

[edit] Biographical Information

Vicente Palacios had an unimpressive career in the Mexican League from 1983 to 1986, with a composite record of 31-32, though he generally posted respectable strikeout totals. Property of the Chicago White Sox since midway of the '84 season, he was also 2-3 in the Eastern League in the '84 and '85 seasons. The White Sox, deeming him a non-prospect, released him late in '86.

In the '86 off-season, Palacios developed a split-finger fastball. He improved drastically. That winter he was 10-2 with a 2.31 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 117 innings in the Mexican Pacific League; he led the LMP in Ks and ERA. Baseball America named him their Winter League Player of the Year. The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Palacios, lost him to the Milwaukee Brewers in the Rule V Draft and then returned to the Pirates when Milwaukee decided not to keep him on the major league roster.

In 1987 Palacios dazzled for the Vancouver Canadians of the Pacific Coast League. He was 13-5 with a 2.58 ERA an 148 strikeouts. He led the circuit in shutouts (5), strikeouts and ERA and was named the 6th best prospect in the PCL by Baseball America. He got his first taste of the majors that year with the Buccos.

Palacios spent the next five years shuffling between the Pirates and their new top farm team, the Buffalo Bisons. In '90, Palacios was 13-7 with a 3.43 ERA ; he tied for third in the American Association in wins.

Palacios returned to the Mexican League in 1993 but was back in the majors the next season, spending '94 and '95 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Palacios then had his third trip to the Liga, going 11-4 with a 3.59 ERA in 1997, one of his best years in his native country.

At the age of 35, Palacios had another rebirth. He moved to the bullpen full-time and was one of the dominant closers in Mexico, going 7-2 with 25 saves and a 1.18 ERA in 61 outings for Monterrey. After a spring training look by the Toronto Blue Jays in '99, Palacios returned to Mexico and was 5-2 with 10 saves and a 0.95 ERA for the Reynosa Broncos with 68 strikeouts in 66 innings over 43 outings. The New York Mets signed Palacios and assigned him to their Norfolk Tides AAA affiliate - Vicente was 2-1 with a 1.86 ERA for Norfolk in '99.

In the 1999 Pan American Games, Palacios entered the semifinal game in relief of Tavo Alvarez; the game would determine who would go to the 2000 Olympics. Palacios pitched effectively but in the 10th inning, he allowed a double to Marcus Jensen and a RBI single to pinch-hitter Mike Neill to cost Mexico the Olympic opportunity. The Team USA reliever, Dan Wheeler, simply proved more efficient on this day.

The Mets still released Palacios and he signed with the San Diego Padres. That year he made his first big-league appearance in five seasons, splitting the year between the Padres and their AAA club in Tucson.

Palacios returned to the Liga for his fifth go-around in Mexico, lasting till age 41 this time as he would pitch four more seasons in the Liga, giving him 13 seasons there despite numerous trips to the majors and high US-based minors. Overall Palacios has appeared on 17 different teams during his career, not even counting winterball.

Palacios holds the All-Time record for most at bats in a single season without recording either a hit or a walk. In 1994, he earned 0 hits and 0 walks in 33 at bats.