Vicente Palacios
Encyclopedia
Vicente Palacios Díaz is a former professional baseball
pitcher
. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
(1987–88 and 1990–92), St. Louis Cardinals
(1994–95) and San Diego Padres
(2000).
Palacios began his professional career in the Mexican League in 1983 for the Rojos del Águila de Veracruz
. In 1984, he was purchased from Veracruz by the Chicago White Sox
, but after two seasons with their double-A farm team, the Glens Falls White Sox
, he was released. He was then signed by the Pirates, making his debut with them in September 1987. He was a member of the Pirates National League East
division champions for three straight seasons, from 1990 to 1992.
After being released by the Pirates following the 1992 season, Palacios was signed by the Cardinals. After spending spring training
with the Padres, he returned to Mexico for a season before signing with the Cardinals. He spent two seasons with St. Louis before being released after the 1995 season. After returning to Mexico once more for three years, he was picked up by the New York Mets
in July 1999, appearing in seven games for their Norfolk Tides
affiliate. He became a free agent after the season, signing with the Padres. He made his final major league appearance in May 2000, and was released that August. He was picked up by the Chicago Cubs
, finishing the year with the triple-A Iowa Cubs
. He returned to Mexico once more in 2001, playing for the Saraperos de Saltillo
, the Piratas de Campeche
, and finally the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos in 2003 before retiring at age 40.
In 8 Major League Baseball
seasons, Palacios had a 17-20 win-loss record. He appeared in 134 games, including 44 games started
, 2 of which were complete games, both shutout
s. In his 90 relief appearances, he finished
26 games, including 7 saves. In 372 innings pitched
, Palacios allowed 348 hit
s, including 44 home run
s. He gave 190 runs, 183 of them earned runs for an earned run average
of 4.43. He walk
ed 158 batters while striking out
270.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1987–88 and 1990–92), St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1994–95) and San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
(2000).
Palacios began his professional career in the Mexican League in 1983 for the Rojos del Águila de Veracruz
Rojos del Aguila de Veracruz
The Rojos del Águila de Veracruz are a AAA-level baseball team playing in the Mexican League.They play at the Estadio Universitario Beto Ávila in Veracruz, Veracruz....
. In 1984, he was purchased from Veracruz by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, but after two seasons with their double-A farm team, the Glens Falls White Sox
Glens Falls White Sox
The Glens Falls White Sox were an American minor league baseball team from Glens Falls, New York that played in the Eastern League from 1980 until 1985. The team was founded in 1980 as the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. In 1986, the team affiliated with the Detroit Tigers and...
, he was released. He was then signed by the Pirates, making his debut with them in September 1987. He was a member of the Pirates National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
division champions for three straight seasons, from 1990 to 1992.
After being released by the Pirates following the 1992 season, Palacios was signed by the Cardinals. After spending spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
with the Padres, he returned to Mexico for a season before signing with the Cardinals. He spent two seasons with St. Louis before being released after the 1995 season. After returning to Mexico once more for three years, he was picked up by the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in July 1999, appearing in seven games for their Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
affiliate. He became a free agent after the season, signing with the Padres. He made his final major league appearance in May 2000, and was released that August. He was picked up by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, finishing the year with the triple-A Iowa Cubs
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
. He returned to Mexico once more in 2001, playing for the Saraperos de Saltillo
Saraperos de Saltillo
The Saraperos de Saltillo are a AAA-level baseball team playing in the Mexican League. They have won 3 championships in 1980, 2009, and 2010. Their homefield is the Estadio De Béisbol Francisco I. Madero in Saltillo, Coahuila. Juan Jose Pacho is the team manager....
, the Piratas de Campeche
Piratas de Campeche
The Piratas de Campeche are a AAA-level baseball team playing in the Mexican League LMB based in Campeche, Campeche, Mexico.-History:...
, and finally the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos in 2003 before retiring at age 40.
In 8 Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
seasons, Palacios had a 17-20 win-loss record. He appeared in 134 games, including 44 games started
Games started
In baseball statistics, games started indicates the number of games that a pitcher has started for his team. A pitcher is credited with starting the game if he faces the first opposing batter...
, 2 of which were complete games, both shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s. In his 90 relief appearances, he finished
Games finished
In baseball statistics, a relief pitcher is credited with a game finished if he is the last pitcher to pitch for his team in a game. A starting pitcher is not credited with a GF for pitching a complete game...
26 games, including 7 saves. In 372 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
, Palacios allowed 348 hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
s, including 44 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s. He gave 190 runs, 183 of them earned runs for an earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 4.43. He walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
ed 158 batters while striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
270.