PITTSBURGH — Dave Parker, a hard-hitting outfielder who was set to be inducted into the Baseball Corridor of Fame subsequent month, has died, the Pittsburgh Pirates introduced Saturday. He was 74.
No additional particulars about Parker’s loss of life have been instantly accessible. The Pirates knowledgeable the gang of his loss of life simply earlier than the beginning of their recreation towards the New York Mets and held a second of silence.
“We’re heartbroken to be taught of the passing of Corridor of Famer Dave Parker, a legendary Pirate,” a portion of Pirates chairman Bob Nutting’s assertion learn.
“He had an enormous character and his passing has left a good greater void with all who knew him. Our hearts exit to his spouse, Kellye, and his household.”
We’re heartbroken to be taught of the passing of Corridor of Famer Dave Parker.
A legendary Pirate, Parker spent 11 years in a Pirates uniform, profitable 2 batting titles, an MVP award and a World Sequence Championship in 1979.
The Cobra was a part of the inaugural Pirates Corridor of Fame… pic.twitter.com/UuikGxw6dI
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 28, 2025
Nicknamed “the Cobra,” the 6-foot-5 Parker made his main league debut in 1973 and performed 19 seasons, 11 for the Pirates. He was the NL MVP in 1978, received a World Sequence with Pittsburgh a yr later after which received one other championship in 1989 with the Oakland Athletics.
Parker received NL batting titles in 1977 and 1978. He completed his profession as a .290 hitter with 339 homers and 1,493 RBIs. He additionally performed for Cincinnati, Milwaukee, the California Angels and Toronto.
“All of us all through the sport are deeply saddened by this loss,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred mentioned in an announcement. “We are going to bear in mind the Cobra perpetually, particularly as his identify quickly formally joins the legends of our Nationwide Pastime. On behalf of Main League Baseball, I lengthen my sympathy to Dave’s household and his followers throughout the sport.”
Parker was elected to the Hall of Fame by a special committee in December. The induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York, is ready for July 27.
“We be a part of the baseball household in remembering Dave Parker. His legacy will likely be one in every of braveness and management, matched solely by his excellent accomplishments on the sphere,” Corridor chairman Jane Forbes Clark mentioned in an announcement. “His election to the Corridor of Fame in December introduced nice pleasure to him, his household and all of the followers who marveled at his exceptional talents.”
Born on June 9, 1951 in Grenada, Mississippi, Parker grew up in Cincinnati and was a three-sport star at Courter Tech Excessive College.
After enjoying for Pittsburgh from 1973 to 1983, he signed along with his hometown Reds and spent 4 seasons with the membership. In 1985, he led the NL with 125 RBIs and was second in MVP voting.
“He was such an enormous dude at a time when there weren’t that many ‘6-foot-5, 230-pound, dynamic defender, batting champion with energy’ guys,” Corridor of Famer and Reds teammate Barry Larkin mentioned. “The whole lot about him was spectacular.”
In an announcement, the Reds mentioned: “Dave was a towering determine on the sphere, within the clubhouse and within the Cincinnati group, the place his baseball journey started, enjoying on the fields close to his residence and going to video games at Crosley Subject. Dave’s impression on the sport and this franchise won’t ever be forgotten.”
Parker was identified with Parkinson’s illness in 2012.
He advised reporters that he burst into tears upon studying of his choice to the Corridor of Fame.
“Yeah, I cried,” Parker mentioned after receiving the information. “It solely took a couple of minutes, as a result of I do not cry.”
Parker homered for the A’s within the 1989 World Sequence opener and took credit score for serving to the Bash Brothers of Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire take the title with a four-game sweep of San Francisco.
He was a seven-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove proper fielder.
“I used to be a five-tool participant. I may do all of them,” Parker mentioned after his Corridor choice. “I by no means trotted to first base. I do not know if folks observed that, however I ran exhausting on each play.”
Pirates veteran and 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen paid tribute to Parker after Pittsburgh beat the New York Mets 9-2 on Saturday.
“He needed to be like Superman to folks when he was enjoying,” McCutchen mentioned. “He was bigger than life on the sphere and had a larger-than-life character, too.”
Info from the Related Press was used on this report.