Tolson, Palmer shatter hitting records in 2017

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Thunder Tim Tolson and the power-hitting Reed Palmer rewrote the record books in 2017.

Both of them have a lot in common. They both swing from the left side, they both hit for power and they both can change a game with one swing. In 2017, the duo simply shattered almost all the Tucson Old Timers' hitting records.

For instance, Palmer set a new club record in home runs with 21, while Tolson finished second with five. Palmer played in 101 games, went 178 in 291 at bats for a .612 batting average. He was third on the club in runs scored with 134, second in doubles with 57, and led the club in walks -- most of them intentional -- with 57.

Now let's take a look at Tolson, who arguably had his best year ever as a TOT.

Tolson was second in games played with 125, just one short of Joe Aparicio, who led the club with 126. In his 125 games, Tolson broke the all-time hits record for one season with 259, was second in runs scored with 144, first in doubles with 85 and he also broke the all-time record for RBI with 212. Palmer, despite his 21 homers, was a distance second in RBI with 171.

Other notably performances in 2017, included John Mathews (82 games, 164 hits in 261 at bats, 50 doubles, six triples, 110 RBI and a .628 batting average) and Lloyd Barzell (108 games, 184 hits in 360 at bats for a .511 average and 152 runs scored, the most by a TOT in 2017).

Forty-nine players saw action with the TOTS in 2017. Floyd Lance, 92, in his final season as an active TOT, played in 23 games and batted .203 (12 for 59) and Jerry Smarik, 85, in his final season, played in 29 games and collected four hits. Hats off to Sir Floyd Lance and to Mr. Jerry Smarik on wonderful careers with the TOTS.

Ten Players on the TOTS reached at least 100 hits during 2017: The 100-hit club: Tolson (259), Barzell (184), Palmer (178), Mathews (164), Pete Peters (143), Bob Daliege (139), David Byars (138), Danny Price (123), Jesse Ochoa (119) and Dennis Crowley (108).

Next up: 2018! The 50th season for the Tucson Old Timers (1968-2018).

Photos: (top) Tim Tolson, (bottom) Reed Palmer (and he pitches, too!)