Jim Palmer’s cardboard trail tells the story of a pitcher who did just about everything at an elite level, and the market has noticed. The former Baltimore Orioles star, who spent 18 years in the majors and now appears on MASN during Orioles games, has seen his card index climb 12.73% over the past three months. Most of that rise, according to the source material, has come in just the past few weeks.
That surge comes with a fitting backdrop. Palmer won more games than any other pitcher during the 1970's, collected three Cy Young Awards and four Gold Glove Awards, and in 1969 he managed to win both. His career also overlapped with a stacked Orioles era that included Cal Ripken Jr., Eddie Murray, Brooks Robinson, and Frank Robinson.
His most desirable cards reflect that résumé. At the top of the list is his 1974 Topps card in PSA 10 condition, a POP 1 that sold for $21,952 on November 1, 2021. Card Ladder says that remains the high-water mark for Palmer’s public card sales, at least for now.
The next most expensive card on the list is a 1967 Topps PSA 10, which sold through Heritage Auctions for $17,080 on Jan 31, 2025. Card Ladder lists five PSA 10 copies in circulation. Palmer wore No. 22, and the Orioles retired it in 1985.
A 1971 Topps Jim Palmer PSA 10 also makes the cut. Card Ladder says the only PSA 10 of that card sold on August 13, 2017, for $12,600.
Another valuable piece is his 1970 Topps Baseball PSA 10, which sold for $12,600 on July 13th, 2024, through Heritage Auctions. Card Ladder reports just five PSA 10 copies.
The list starts with Palmer’s rookie card, the 1966 Topps Baseball #126 in PSA 9. Card Ladder says there are zero gems across the four tracked grading companies, and the card sold for $10,065 on July 10, 2026.
Palmer’s place in the Hall of Fame came in 1990, when he was elected on his first ballot with 93% of the vote. More than three decades later, his cards are still moving, and the market for one of baseball’s best pitchers and broadcasters remains very much alive.
In Other News...
Orioles Defensive Mess Sparks Bigger Questions About Accountability
The Orioles defensive problems have become hard to ignore in 2026, with the club sitting near the bottom of the league in errors per game and unearned runs allowed. For a team that has spent much of the season trying to steady itself, the mistakes have turned into more than isolated lapses, especially with injuries thinning out the infield and putting even more pressure on the players who remain.
Mike Bordick, the Orioles Hall of Famer, has been among the loudest voices pushing the issue, arguing that the club needs more accountability and a firmer commitment to fundamentals. He pointed to breakdowns by infielders and pitchers alike and suggested that a more old-school approach to defensive work, closer to what Tony Mansolino emphasized during his interim stint, might help Baltimore clean up the mess before it costs them more games. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Farm System Just Gave Fans A Reason To Exhale
For a system that was sitting near the top of the prospect conversation in the early 2020s, Baltimores farm has spent the last couple of years trying to reestablish its footing. The latest update offers a little more comfort, with six Orioles prospects landing in Fansideds top 100 and the group looking deeper than it has in a while, especially after the organizations recent drafts helped reshape the pipeline.
Eric Booth Jr. leads the way as the clubs highest-ranked name, but the more encouraging sign may be the pitching side, where three arms made the list and hint at a healthier balance in the system. There are still plenty of moving parts, and some of the position-player depth has been tested by health issues, but the broader picture is better than it was not long ago and gives Baltimore reason to believe the next wave is starting to take form. [Read more 🡒]