4 hours ago
8
Pittsburgh Pirates icon Dave Parker has died at the age of 74, the team announced on Saturday.
Parker spent the first 11 years of his career in Pittsburgh, winning the NL MVP in 1978 and helping lead the team to a World Series win in 1979.
He was elected into the sport's Hall of Fame in December, but his death comes just before his official enshrinement in Cooperstown next month.
In a post to X, the Pirates said they were 'heartbroken' by the passing of Parker, who also won two batting titles and made seven All-Star teams.
Parker, affectionately known to fans as 'Cobra', was inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2022.
The right fielder also three Gold Glove awards due to his powerful arm.
Pirates icon Dave Roberts has died at the age of 74, the team announced on Saturday
The Pirates said they were 'devastated' by the loss of Parker, for whom a cause of death was not announced
After departing Pittsburgh following the 1983 season, Parker spent four seasons with the Cincinnati Reds before joining the Oakland A's, where he won his second World Series in 1989.
He ended his career with stints on the Brewers, Angels and Blue Jays.
Tributes poured in for Parker online following the beloved player's death.
'Some players are just cool, and Dave Parker absolutely was one,' radio producer Heath Cline said on X.
'Only baseball I have ever gotten from a game was when he was with the Reds - he flipped me a foul ball at a spring game. Wish he could’ve made it to his Cooperstown induction but at least he knew he made it. R.I.P.'
MLB analyst Jim Bowden added: 'Of all the players and clubhouses I’ve been around no player had more clubhouse presence than the Cobra....nor could anyone surpass his line drives a foot off the ground. He will be missed. May he rest in peace and condolences to his family friends and fans. He was truly a one of a kind.'
Giants beat reporter Justice delos Santos also penned a touching tribute to Parker.
Parker tips his hat to the crowd during a ceremony honoring the 1979 World Series championship team before a game in 2024
'To The Cobra, there were three guarantees in life: Sun was going to shine, wind was going to blow and Big Dave was going to go 4-for-4. RIP to a 1-of-1,' he said.
Parker joined the ranks of Cooperstown via the Classic Baseball Era Committee ballot, a 16-person committee which considers baseball figures whose main contributions came before 1980.
Previously, Parker topped out at 24.5 percent on the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot.
