Cardinals feature the more reserved Palmeiro

Orlando plays a quieter role than the home run hitting part of the Rangers' Rafael Palmeiro.

By R.B. Fallstrom ~ The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS -- Rafael Palmeiro hit his 500th home run on Sunday. Orlando Palmeiro (no relation) has four, and he's quite secure.

The St. Louis Cardinals have the other Palmeiro, the one not bound for the Hall of Fame but instead the rare reserve who actually relishes the role.

Many substitutes chafe at the prospect of getting an at-bat here and there, or a few innings in the field every few days. Not the guy who was a valuable member of the supporting cast on the Angels' World Championship team last year who's looking for a reprise in the Midwest.

"I understand there's guys like Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds, and I don't have that type of talent," Palmeiro said. "I'm aware those guys are horses and I might be a little pony.

"Whatever. That's the reality."

Beyond a last name, Orlando Palmeiro and Rafael Palmeiro have nothing in common. This, despite the team's media guide that claims the two are cousins.

"I don't have any relation to him that I know of," he said. "People say we're brothers, but not that I know of. I've seen him at first base a couple of times."

Prefers anonymity

Orlando Palmeiro occasionally gets called Rafael, by umpires and other players. He'd prefer a more anonymous existence, letting his subtle contributions speak for themselves.

"I like to fly under the radar, so to speak," Palmeiro said. "It's not about me. Don't get me wrong, I'm trying to take care of my family, but when it comes down to it, the asset I bring is I can help the team in a lot of situations without being noticed.

"To me, that's the best way."

Palmeiro, 34, has been getting more action than expected in the early going due to J.D. Drew's late start because of offseason knee surgery, and various aches and pains among other outfielders such as Eli Marrero and Pujols. Palmeiro was hitting .263 with 11 RBIs in 80 at-bats.

The at-bats were eighth-most on the team. Maybe too much for a guy who's never had more than 317 at-bats in a full season. Last year, he had 263 with the Angels, batting .300 with 31 RBIs.

"I've probably got to be careful overplaying him," manager Tony La Russa said. "He's not the strongest guy around.

"He's not frail, but you've got to be careful."

Drew returned a week ago, Pujols is returning to health defensively from a sprained elbow ligament that severely limited his throwing for several weeks, playing regularly in the outfield for more than two weeks, and Edmonds has been among the NL hitting leaders most of the year.

So Palmeiro figures he'll be getting spot duty typical for him for the foreseeable future.

"There's been some guys that have made great careers helping teams out," Palmeiro said. "It's a big advantage being a manager and having a guy that can help you win a game, and it's not your No. 1 guy.

"I think it's important on teams that are contenders to have guys you can put in there, and the team can keep rolling."

The Cardinals stood out among Palmeiro's offseason suitors, because of a combination of factors.

Manager Tony La Russa has a reputation for keeping his bench fresh, the Cardinals are perennial contenders seeking a fourth straight playoff berth and Palmeiro's small-ball approach is a better fit in the National League.

"It was a different winter, but this was definitely my No. 1 choice," Palmeiro said. "Don't get me wrong, I was comfortable where I was. I would have been happy to stay there because I was comfortable there and we had just finished winning, but I was always told this is the league I should be in."