covering palmer's spring training workouts, richard hoffer of "sports illustrated" said that palmer's comeback was not entirely about money. he wrote that "it is fair to suspect that a certain vanity is involved." hoffer said that palmer "has failed to excite either ridicule or astonishment. he's in fabulous condition, no question. but no matter whom he lines up with on the row of practice mounds, there is more pop in the gloves of catchers other than his."