Dave Parker, a two-time World Series champion and the 1978 MVP, has passed away at the age of 74 after battling Parkinson’s disease. He is scheduled to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame next month, as noted by the Hall.
“We’ll join the baseball family in honoring Dave Parker,” remarked Jane Forbes Clark, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “His legacy exemplifies courage and leadership, perfectly complemented by his extraordinary achievements on the field. The announcement of his Hall of Fame selection last December brought immense joy to his fans who admired his talent.”
Parker made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1973, beginning an 11-year journey with the team.
During his MVP season, Parker, affectionately known as the “Cobra,” led the league with a .334 batting average, a .979 OPS, 30 home runs, and 117 RBIs.
He played a crucial role in Pittsburgh’s World Series victory the following year and added another championship a decade later.
Parker was also honored as the MVP of the 1979 All-Star Game, where he made an impressive throw to home plate from the outfield.
He retired with a career batting average of .290, totaling 339 home runs and an .810 OPS. In 2022, he was inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame.
Shortly after Parker’s passing, analyst Ron Darling—who played during the latter part of Parker’s career—expressed his admiration, calling him “larger than life.” Darling emphasized that Parker was a true five-tool player, someone everyone wanted to be around.
However, it wasn’t until December that Parker was elected to the Hall of Fame by a classic baseball-era committee.
