Dave Parker, Hall of Famer and former MVP, passes away at 74
from Adam Berry, at MLB.com/CLICK HERE to read more and read ALL…….
His skill was as supreme as his style and swagger. His exploits on the field were the stuff of legend, like the Minor League home run he hit in West Virginia that landed in a coal car and wound up in Columbus, Ohio, or the time he literally knocked the cover off a baseball. His words were often boastful and always unforgettable.
“When the leaves turn brown, I’ll be wearing the batting crown.”
Few players have ever been as talented or entertaining as Dave Parker, the Hall of Fame outfielder nicknamed “The Cobra,” who spent 19 seasons in the big leagues and ranked among the game’s best at his peak with the Pirates in the late 1970s. Parker passed away on Saturday after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 74.
“Dave Parker was a gifted all-around player whose numerous accomplishments led to his upcoming induction in Cooperstown this summer,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “He was a World Series Champion with the 1979 Pirates and the 1989 Athletics, a beloved All-Star Red in his hometown of Cincinnati, and an All-Star in Milwaukee. Dave was also a three-time Gold Glover on the strength of his famous arm, a two-time batting champion, and the winner of the inaugural Home Run Derby in 1985.
“All of us throughout the game are deeply saddened by this loss. We will remember the Cobra forever, especially as his name soon officially joins the legends of our National Pastime. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my sympathy to Dave’s family and his fans across the game.”
Parker’s decorated career included the 1978 National League MVP Award, two World Series championships a decade apart, back-to-back NL batting titles, three Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, seven All-Star nods, the ’79 All-Star Game MVP Award and MLB’s first Home Run Derby title in ‘85. The intimidating outfielder racked up 2,712 career hits with a .290 batting average, launched 339 homers and drove in 1,493 runs from 1973-91.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Dave Parker. A beloved member of the Pirates family, ‘The Cobra’ was one of the most dominating and intimidating players to ever wear a Pirates uniform,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement. “All of us who grew up in the ‘70s remember how special Dave was. He was an All-Star, a Gold Glover, a batting champion, a National League MVP and a critical part of the 1979 Pirates World Series Championship team. It was our honor to welcome Dave and his family back to Pittsburgh to celebrate his career as part of the inaugural class of the Pirates Hall of Fame.
“He had a big personality and his passing has left an even bigger void with all who knew him. Our hearts go out to his wife, Kellye, and his family.”
Parker was a trailblazer for his peers who drew the ire — as well as the frequent insults, assaults and threats — of some fans. Before the 1979 season, he signed a five-year, $5 million contract that made him the first professional baseball player to earn $1 million per season. He was one of the first pro athletes to wear an earring. His poetic, bombastic quotes led teammates to call him the Muhammad Ali of baseball.