Pittsburgh Pirates legend Dave Parker, 74, passed away from the effects of Parkinson’s disease on Saturday, just one month before his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“The Cobra” was the 1978 National League MVP, won two World Series championships a decade apart, won back-to-back NL batting titles, and three Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. he was a seven-time All-Star, the 1979 All-Star Game MVP Award (when he threw out Jim Rice at third base and Brian Downing at the plate) and he even won MLB’s first Home Run Derby title in 1985. Parker finished his Major League career with 2,712 career hits and a .290 batting average, with 339 homers and 1,493 RBI.
In eleven seasons with the Pirates, Parker his .305 with 166 homer runs and 758 runs batted in. He played 19 seasons overall, for the Pirates, Reds, A’s, Brewers, Angels, and Blue Jays. he won the World Series with the Pirates in 1979 and the A’s in 1989.
His bust in Cooperstown will feature him wearing a Pirates’ cap.
Parker’s death was announced just before the Pirates’ game against the Mets yesterday. After a rain delay in the second inning, the Pirates walloped New York for a second straight game. Joe Block has the story.
The series concludes this afternoon with Mike Burrows starting for the Pirates against the Mets’ Frankie Montas. Coverage begins with The Ben Cherington Show on WCCS at 12:35.
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