It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Rafael Palmeiro. Matter of fact, the former big leaguer has been virtually invisible since he last swung the lumber in the Majors a little more than ten years ago.
Until now.
Thursday, the Sugar Land Skeeters announced that the 50-year-old slugger would be joining the team for their final three games of the season. Palmeiro’s son Patrick is the team’s starting third baseman.
“We discussed me playing earlier this year and it’s something I’ve looked forward to since then,” Palmeiro said. “The chance to play with my son is an opportunity the Skeeters have offered me and I’m very excited to make it happen this weekend.”
This isn’t the first time the Skeeters have pulled a stunt like this. Three years ago, Roger Clemens joined the team for two games and threw eight scoreless innings. Prior to the 2014 season, former basketball player Tracy McGrady joined the team. Unfortunately, the former Houston Rocket All-Star didn’t fare as well as “The Rocket”, going 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in four starts.
But, back to Palmeiro. The longtime Major Leaguer is one of just five members of the 500 home run and 3000 hit club. The others…Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray and Alex Rodriguez. In his 20-year big league career, Palmeiro hit .288 with 3020 hits and 569 home runs.
***UPDATE***
Rafael Palmeiro made his debut Friday night for the Sugar Land Skeeters, going two-for-four and knocking in a run during a 10-4 victory over the Camden Riversharks.
And, apparently, dude looked pretty good in the process.
Putting in the work in the cage! First pitch at 7:05 #SaLute2Fans #GoSkeeters pic.twitter.com/R2L1vORbgC
— Sugar Land Skeeters (@SL_Skeeters) September 18, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
