This document was sent out by the MLB Players’ Association to ascertain the extent of Jim Palmer commercial endorsements. Palmer has signed the bottom of the document. The winningest pitcher of the 1970s, Palmer had his only losing season of the decade in ’74 going 7-12. Palmer would rebound the following year as a 20-game winner, a mark he would reach four straight years.

The MLB players association sent Palmer this check on September 1, 1981. Made out for $376 the check has the facsimile signature of Marvin Miller.

Palmer was on the down side of his career by 1981 and would record only one more winning season before retiring in 1984.

Palmer has endorsed the back of the check with his legal, “James A Palmer”. After retiring as a player, Palmer became a broadcaster on ABC and ESPN and locally for the hometown Orioles. He remains the only pitcher to win World Series games in three different decades.

Upon election, every man must sign a contract with the Hall of Fame. This agreement grants the Hall the authority and privilege to use the man’s likeness on his Hall of Fame plaque and also allows the Hall the non-exclusive right to market the player.

Here is the agreement sent for Jim Palmer to sign on May 17, 1990.

Howard Talbot writes to Jim Palmer, expressing in part, “This is the first opportunity I’ve had to write to congratulate you on your election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.” Talbot goes on to outline travel plans and offers more information about the induction ceremony.

In page two of the letter, Director of the Hall Talbot closes his letter with this, “I might mention that we are planning on making a special display for you within the museum, and if you have any items that you feel you could donate to us for this purpose, we would then be able to install a sizable display for that weekend as well as the remainder of the summer.”

A Baltimore catcher for 11 years, Elrod Hendricks got to see the greatness of Jim Palmer up close. In the collection is a telegram sent by Hendricks congratulating his former battery mate on his election to the Hall of Fame. Hendricks writes, “Thank you for letting us be a big part of your career. Congratulations on being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Elrod Hendricks and family”.

The excitement of seeing their cousin make the Baseball Hall of Fame compelled the Weisen Family to send a congratulatory telegram to Jim Palmer. Simple in its message, this telegram reads, “Congratulations. We love you. Your cousins, The Weisen Family”.

Heading into the first year of the 1990s, only 25 men reached the Baseball Hall of Fame their first time on the ballot. That summer two more baseball legends were added to the list, ten-time All Star, five-time Gold Glover, and two-time MVP Joe Morgan and 3-time Cy Young Award winner and 8-time 20-game winner Jim Palmer.

The image above is an invitation to their ceremony on the hot summer day in Cooperstown, New York. It is signed by Morgan at the bottom.