Hall of Fame outfielder Dave ‘Cobra’ Parker passes at 74

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    PITTSBURGH — The baseball world is mourning the loss of Dave Parker, the renowned outfielder and one-time National League MVP, who passed away at the age of 74. The Pittsburgh Pirates confirmed the sad news on Saturday, just as they were about to face the New York Mets. The team commemorated Parker with a moment of silence prior to the game’s start.

    Parker, affectionately known as “the Cobra,” was a towering figure in baseball, standing 6-foot-5. He broke into the major leagues in 1973 and spent 19 seasons playing professionally, with 11 of those years in Pittsburgh. Parker achieved considerable success during his career, clinching the NL MVP in 1978 and contributing to the Pirates’ World Series victory in 1979, followed by another championship win in 1989 with the Oakland Athletics.

    Reflecting on Parker’s legacy, Pirates owner Bob Nutting stated, “All of us who grew up in the ’70s remember how special Dave was. He had a big personality and his passing has left a bigger void for all who knew him. Our hearts go out to his wife, Kellye, and his family.”

    Parker’s remarkable career saw him win NL batting crowns in 1977 and 1978. He retired with an impressive .290 batting average, 339 home runs, and 1,493 RBIs. Beyond the Pirates, Parker also showcased his talents with teams such as Cincinnati, Milwaukee, the California Angels, and Toronto.

    In December, Parker was selected for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, with the ceremony scheduled to take place in Cooperstown, New York, on July 27. Hall chairman Jane Forbes Clark expressed, “We join the baseball family in remembering Dave Parker. His legacy will be one of courage and leadership, matched only by his outstanding accomplishments on the field.”

    Born on June 9, 1951, in Grenada, Mississippi, Parker was raised in Cincinnati, where he starred in multiple sports at Courter Tech High School. After his tenure in Pittsburgh from 1973-83, Parker joined his hometown Cincinnati Reds for four seasons. Notably, in 1985, he led the NL with 125 RBIs and nearly claimed another MVP title.

    Reds Hall of Famer and former teammate Barry Larkin commented on Parker’s impressive stature and skill set, remarking, “He was such a big dude at a time when there weren’t that many ‘6-foot-5, 230-pound, dynamic defender, batting champion with power’ guys. Everything about him was impressive.”

    The Cincinnati Reds also honored Parker’s contributions, saying, “Dave was a towering figure on the field, in the clubhouse, and in the Cincinnati community, where his baseball journey began, playing on the fields near his home and going to games at Crosley Field. Dave’s impact on the game and this franchise will never be forgotten.”

    In 2012, Parker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a challenging battle he faced with resilience. He shared that he was overcome with emotion upon receiving news of his Hall of Fame selection, saying, “Yeah, I cried. It only took a few minutes, because I don’t cry.”

    Parker’s contributions were crucial in significant games, including the 1989 World Series where he homered for the Athletics in the opening match and helped guide the team to a dominant sweep of San Francisco.

    The passing of Parker prompted heartfelt responses from across the baseball community. Commissioner Rob Manfred reflected on his legacy, saying, “We will remember the Cobra forever, especially as his name soon officially joins the legends of our national pastime.”

    Pirates veteran Andrew McCutchen acknowledged Parker’s larger-than-life persona, sharing, “He had to be like Superman to people when he was playing. He was larger than life on the field and had a larger-than-life personality, too.”

    During his illustrious career, Parker was a seven-time All-Star and a three-time Gold Glove right fielder. Upon his retirement in 1991, he was one of a select group of players to have achieved at least 500 doubles, 300 home runs, 150 stolen bases, and 2,700 hits.

    Summing up his career, Parker emphasized his dedication and well-rounded ability, “I was a five-tool player. I could do them all. I never trotted to first base. I don’t know if people noticed that, but I ran hard on every play.”