Born in Lomita, California, and of Yugoslav descent (described variously as Slovenian,[1] Croatian[citation needed] and Serb–Montenegrin), he was listed as 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and 180 pounds (82 kg).

But in the eighth frame, Palica could not hold the lead, allowing a solo home run to slugger Ralph Kiner and an RBI single to former Dodger star Pete Reiser.

Pittsburgh went on to a 13–12 triumph, and, after the game—which had featured angry battles between the Dodgers and the umpiring crew[2]—Brooklyn manager Chuck Dressen lost his temper and witheringly questioned Palica's courage in "on the record" remarks to the assembled media.

Palica did not pitch after August 27, as the archrival Giants roared back from a 131⁄2-game mid-August deficit to tie the Dodgers and force a playoff, which they won on Bobby Thomson's famous walk-off homer.

Palica spent the final seven seasons of his pro career (1957–63) back in the minors, winning 15 games three different times in the top-level Pacific Coast League.