dave parker
dave parker
dave parker
dave parker
dave parker
dave parker
dave parker
dave parker
dave parker
dave parker
He was as skilled as he was swaggering and stylish. Legends abound about his on-field heroics, such as the time he physically knocked the cover off a baseball or the Minor League home run he hit in West Virginia that ended up in Columbus, Ohio, after landing in a coal car. His remarks were always memorable and frequently boastful.
“I’ll be wearing the batting crown when the leaves turn brown.”
In a statement, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stated, “Dave Parker was a gifted all-around player whose numerous accomplishments led to his upcoming induction in Cooperstown this summer.” “He was an All-Star in Milwaukee, a cherished All-Star Red in his hometown of Cincinnati, and a World Series champion with the 1979 Pirates and the 1989 Athletics. In addition, Dave won the first Home Run Derby in 1985, was a two-time batting champion, and was a three-time Gold Glover thanks to his renowned arm.
“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.” dave parker
The 1978 National League MVP Award, two World Series triumphs ten years apart, back-to-back NL batting crowns, three Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, seven among-Star selections, the ’79 All-Star Game MVP Award, and MLB’s first Home Run Derby victory in ’85 were among highlights of Parker’s illustrious career. The formidable outfielder blasted 339 home runs, drove in 1,493 runs, and had 2,712 hits with a.290 batting average between 1973 and 1991.
“The news of Dave Parker’s passing breaks our hearts. One of the most powerful and scary athletes to ever don a Pirates uniform, “The Cobra” was a cherished part of the Pirates family, Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement. “Everyone who grew up in the 1970s may recall how unique Dave was. He was a member of the 1979 Pirates World Series Championship squad, a batting champion, a Gold Glover, an All-Star, and the National League MVP. As members of the first class of the Pirates Hall of Fame, we had the privilege of welcoming Dave and his family back to Pittsburgh to commemorate his career.
“His passing has left an even greater void with everyone who knew him. He had a big personality.” Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his wife, Kellye.
Parker was a trailblazer for his classmates, which infuriated some fans and led to repeated taunts, attacks, and threats. He became the first professional baseball player to earn $1 million per season when he signed a five-year, $5 million contract prior to the 1979 season. He was among the first professional sportsmen to don an earring. His teammates referred to him as the Muhammad Ali of baseball because of his eloquent and ebullient statements.
“The wind will blow, the sun will shine, and Dave will go four for four.”
However, his cocaine usage and involvement in the 1985 Pittsburgh drug trials clouded his legacy, and some people think that’s what eventually prevented him from being chosen to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s Hall of Fame. He only reached a peak of 24.5 percent during his then-maximum 15 years on the ballot, and he was unsuccessful in the 2019 Modern Baseball Era ballot.