Dave Parker, Legendary Power Hitter, 2025 Hall of Fame Inductee, Dies at 74

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Dave Parker, otherwise known as The Cobra, passed away a month before his long overdue Hall of Fame induction in July. He was 74.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Parker’s death Saturday afternoon, before the Pirates’ 4:05 start against the New York Mets. Before the game, the Pirates held a moment of silence during the pregame ceremonies. 

“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.”

David Gene Parker was drafted to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 14th round of the 1970 MLB Draft. While excited to select the high school out of Cincinnati, Ohio as a mid-round draft pick, the Pirates did not expect Parker to become a franchise great. Parker would make his major league debut after dominating in the minors in 1973. Parker would slash .315/.358/.496 in four minor league seasons.

Parker would roam the outfield of Three Rivers Stadium for over a decade, looking like an NFL wideout, standing 6’5”, 230 pounds. He would slash .305/.353/.494 averaging 134 hits and 15 home runs per season. In his 11 seasons as a Pirate, Parker would be a four-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove Award winner, two-time Batting Title Champion, MVP, and World Series Champion. 

In 1978 and 1979, Parker would cement himself in Pirates’ franchise history. In 1978, Parker would become the first Pirate to win the NL MVP since Roberto Clemente in 1966, after winning his second consecutive NL Batting Title, drilling 30 home runs, and leading the MLB in OPS (.979). In the 1979 playoffs, Parker led the Pirates to a World Series Championship after slashing .341/.396/.415.

In 1983, Parker signed with the Cincinnati Reds. He would continue his dominance at the plate, slashing .281/.334/.469 averaging 27 home runs per season in his four seasons as a Red Stocking. He also led the National League in doubles (42) and RBI (125) at the ripe age of 35.

Parker captured his second ring in 1989 as an Oakland Athletic after hitting 22 home runs in the regular season. At the conclusion of the 1991 season, Parker called it a career. Finishing his career slashing .290/.339/.471 with 2,712 hits, 339 home runs, and 1,493 RBI.

In 2012, Parker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which severely limited his mobility. Despite his physical limitations, he remained involved in the community. In 2013, he and his wife, Kellye Crockett, started the Dave Parker 39 Foundation to focus on finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease and making life better for people with the disease.

In 2022, Parker was inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame. In Pirates history, Parker currently ranks 6th in home runs (166), 8th in doubles (296), and 8th in slugging percentage (.494).

On July 27, Parker will join the baseball greats in Cooperstown, New York, and become the 13th Pittsburgh Pirate to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)