in , palmer attempted a comeback with the orioles. palmer said that he wanted to make sure that he had not retired too early. espn, which was trying to cut expenses, had asked him to take a pay cut and to sign a three-year contract. palmer said he would sign a one-year contract for less pay, but espn refused. "i wouldn't be here today if the broadcasting climate had been more to my liking. that was really my prime motivation, the fact that i no longer had that obligation", palmer said during spring training.