Dave Parker, hard-hitting outfielder nicknamed ‘the Cobra,’ dies at 74

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"Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Parker, known as 'the Cobra,' passes away at 74"

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Dave Parker, the renowned outfielder affectionately known as 'the Cobra,' passed away at the age of 74, as confirmed by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. The announcement came just before the Pirates' game against the New York Mets, prompting the team to honor Parker with a moment of silence. Although the details surrounding his death remain unclear, it follows a distinguished baseball career that was set to culminate in his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame next month. Parker's legacy is marked by his powerful hitting and exceptional fielding abilities, which earned him a reputation as one of the sport's most formidable players during his 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his debut in 1973 and spent 11 seasons with the Pirates, where he became the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1978 and helped lead the team to a World Series title in 1979. He later secured another championship with the Oakland Athletics in 1989.

Throughout his career, Parker achieved remarkable milestones, including winning two National League batting titles in 1977 and 1978. He concluded his time in the league with a batting average of .290, alongside 339 home runs and 1,493 runs batted in (RBIs). In addition to his time with the Pirates and Athletics, he played for teams such as the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, and Toronto Blue Jays. Born on June 9, 1951, in Grenada, Mississippi, Parker showcased his athletic prowess at Courter Tech High School in Cincinnati before embarking on his professional career. His selection to the Hall of Fame by a special committee in December brought him immense joy, as he expressed his emotional reaction to the news. Parker, who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012, was not only a seven-time All-Star but also a three-time Gold Glove winner, highlighting his all-around skills on the field. He was proud of his work ethic, emphasizing that he never took plays lightly and always ran hard on the field, embodying the spirit of a true 'five-tool player.'Parker's legacy will be remembered not just for his impressive statistics but for his passion for the game and the impact he had on his teammates and fans alike.

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Source URL: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/28/sport/baseball-dave-parker-dies-spt

Dave Parker, a hard-hitting outfielder who was set to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame next month, has died, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced Saturday. He was 74.

No further details about Parker’s death were immediately available. The Pirates informed the crowd of his death just before the start of their game against the New York Mets and held a moment of silence.

Nicknamed “the Cobra,” the 6-foot-5 Parker made his major league debut in 1973 and played 19 seasons, 11 for the Pirates. He was the NL MVP in 1978, won a World Series with Pittsburgh a year later and then won another championship in 1989 with the Oakland Athletics.

Parker won NL batting titles in 1977 and ’78. He finished his career as a .290 hitter with 339 homers and 1,493 RBIs. He also played for Cincinnati, Milwaukee, the California Angels and Toronto.

Parker was elected to the Hall of Fame by a special committee in December. The induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York, is set for July 27.

Born on June 9, 1951 in Grenada, Mississippi, Parker grew up in Cincinnati and was a three-sport star at Courter Tech High School.

After playing for Pittsburgh from 1973-83, he signed with his hometown Reds and spent four seasons with the club. In 1985, he led the NL with 125 RBIs and was second in the MVP voting.

Parker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012.

He told reporters that he burst into tearsupon learning of his selection to the Hall of Fame.

“Yeah, I cried,” Parker said after receiving the news. “It only took a few minutes, because I don’t cry.”

Parker homered for the A’s in the 1989 World Series opener and took credit for helping 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 right fielder.

“I was a five-tool player. I could do them all,” Parker said after his Hall selection. “I never trotted to first base. I don’t know if people noticed that, but I ran hard on every play.”

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Source: CNN