james alvin palmer (born october 15, 1945) is an american former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 years in major league baseball (mlb) for the baltimore orioles (1965–1967, 1969–1984). palmer was the winningest mlb pitcher in the 1970s, totaling 186 wins. he also won at least 20 games in eight different seasons and won three cy young awards and four gold gloves during the decade. his 268 career victories are currently an orioles record. a six-time american league (al) all-star, he was also one of the rare pitchers who never allowed a grand slam in any major league contest.