Hall-of-Famer Dave Parker passed away at age 74 today after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, as the Pirates announced just prior to the start of today’s game. The sad news comes less than a month before Parker was officially set to be inducted into Cooperstown, as Parker and Dick Allen (like Parker, a former MVP and seven-time All-Star) were voted into the Hall by the Era Committee last winter.
A veteran of 19 Major League seasons from 1973-1991, “the Cobra” was one of the sport’s most feared hitters for the majority of his career. Parker batted .290/.339/.471 over 10184 career plate appearances and 2466 games, amassing 339 homers and 2712 career hits. Along with his seven All-Star nods and the 1978 NL MVP Award, Parker was a two-time batting champion and a three-time Gold Glover. With 154 steals also on his resume, Parker was a legitimate five-tool threat during his prime years, before knee problems sapped Parker’s speed and ability to regularly play the field.
This spectacular career arose from a modest start as a 14th-round pick for the Pirates in the 1970 draft. A part-timer in his first two MLB seasons, Parker emerged as an everyday force in 1975, joining forces with Pittsburgh legend Willie Stargell and other notables of the era like Al Oliver, Bill Robinson, and Richie Zisk to wreak havoc in the middle of the lineup.
The Pirates had several outstanding teams during Parker’s 11 seasons in Pittsburgh, but back in the days when only the two division winners reached the postseason, playoff success was harder to come by. The Buccos won three division titles during Parker’s tenure but didn’t reach the World Series until 1979, when the “We Are Family” Pirates overcame a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Orioles and capture the franchise’s most recent championship. Parker naturally played a big role in the title run, hitting .341/.396/.415 over 48 postseason PA to help the Pirates capture the crown.
Parker also achieved a notable contractual milestone before the 1979 season even started, as he signed a five-year, $5MM contract with the Pirates that was (at the time) the sport’s biggest contract. Technically the deal made Parker the first player to earn $1MM per season, even if some deferred money within the deal left his actual annual average value south of the seven-figure mark.
That contract led to increased expectations, and while Parker’s outgoing and bombastic personality made him a fan favorite during the good times, some in Pittsburgh started to view Parker as arrogant when the Pirates’ play tailed off after 1979 and Parker’s own numbers started to diminish. Parker’s knee problems and a cocaine addiction were clearly impacting his performance, and he left Pittsburgh to sign with the Reds following the 1983 season.
The second act of Parker’s career had several more memorable moments, including a big comeback year in 1985 that saw him lead the NL in total bases, doubles, and RBI while finishing second in NL MVP voting. Parker followed up his four seasons in Cincinnati with two seasons with the pennant-winning Athletics in 1988 and 1989. While not quite the premium bat of his prime years, the Cobra still helped the A’s win the World Series in 1989. The move to the American League also allowed Parker to become a designated hitter for the first time in his career, and he was essentially a DH-only player with plenty of pop still in his bat from 1989-91 with the A’s, Brewers, Angels, and Blue Jays.
After retirement, Parker had moved into coaching, and spent a long time waiting for his eventual call to Cooperstown. Parker never received much support from the writers during his 15 years on the BBWAA ballot, with his cocaine habit and his involvement in the 1985 Pittsburgh drug trials often viewed as the key reason for the lack of voter support. It is bittersweet that Parker will be a posthumous induction at next month’s ceremony in Cooperstown, but he at least received the satisfaction of learning last December that he had finally been properly minted as a Hall of Famer.
All of us at MLB Trade Rumors share our condolences with Parker’s family, friends, and many fans.
RIP Cobra…..
Sad he didn’t make it to his HOF induction but at least he KNEW he was going in before he passed.
RIP
Right afs, at least he knew. That’s the key. One of those borderline type players, but yes he was feared during his best seasons. RIP.
Just texted the same thing to a relative. I grew up in the era of the great RF with the best gun. Was it Parker or Evans? Dewey also belongs in as did in my view El Tiante who never received that call. So glad for Parker who got those to young to have seen him, could do it all. For a big man, he certainly wasn’t slow. RIP cobra.
Parker had a massive arm in RF
Brian Downing knows all too well how massive and accurate his arm was.
I don’t think borderline is really accurate. He was a star. Perhaps stats shouldn’t be the only determinatión. Ask the players he played against. Maybe they should be the ones who really matter.
When I think of Dave Parker I think of him throwing a strike to Gary Carter at home plate in an All Star game…… I think Evans was a little better fielder but Parker a little better hitter. Both were amazing and both Hall of Famers.
Stats aren’t the only criteria. In fact stats aren’t even mentioned in them. The HOF has always been about who makes the sport look good.
Parker threw two players out front right field during the AS game, and why he was named MVP
remember – I wouldn’t call him “borderline”, considering the HOF has the likes of Harold Baines and Hoyt Wilhelm in it. I think Parker should have gotten in ages ago.
“Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.” — The actual criteria.
Having read them, you can determine what part(s) of this language may have posed a barrier to Parker being admitted earlier.
Top five arms I ever saw.
I remember Ellis Valentine,Dwight Evans,Parker,and Downtown Ollie Brown in no particular order.
There was only one Roberto though.
Never forget that throw in the ‘79 AS game!
For some players they do ask the players that they played against, its called the Veterans Committee.
Parker was an absolute stud for those of you that never saw him play. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a big man move as quick as he did.
In his prime he was as scary at the plate as any batter Ive seen in their prime. He had an intimidation factor you could feel through the television. Others may have been better but the fear factor was through the roof.
Rip COBRA!!! True legend…
RIP Cobra…you’ll always be one of my favorite ballplayers!!!
Rest in peace Cobra.
So sorry to hear this. A guy who was a 5 tool player with a cannon for an arm RIp Cobra.thanks for the memories
He made so many great plays, but the one I’ll always remember is his throw on the fly from RF to home to get the runner out in the ASG. Brilliant!
Was watching when that happened as a youngster. Funny how you don’t realize how great a play that was at the time.
For those who would like to see it, here it is. Great throw, but better tag by Carter. google.com/search?q=dave+parker+throws+out+brian+d…
I loved watching guys trying to stretch for an extra base against him, just to watch his monster arm. Like you said, a cannon.
At least he was still alive when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. RIP.
Nice career. Musta been one crazy clubhouse in Oaktown. DEA fun house. Rip, feller
RIP to a real legend. Glad he got to see his [long overdue] HoF enshrinement.
I wish he could have made it to his HOF induction.
Only a month away.
Rest in Paradise Cobra
The best player in the NL for the several years in the 70s. RIP Cobra.
Even though none of the current Pirates players were alive as the time it would be cool if some of them came out to “We Are Family” for at least one AB
Whats kind of crazy is it was Stargell who want that as the clubhouse song. Dave Parker didnt care for it cause it said, “got my sister’s with me”….I heard him talking about it once. I believe he wanted, “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now”.
If I was coming out…I might ask for some Bill Withers or Isley Brothers to honor him. Dave was kind of a music head.
Doesn’t matter who wanted the song. It’s a nice gesture to honor him is all time saying.
Cool
Parkway was a BAMF!
Oh no. RIP. That throw in 1979 ASG is burned into memory.
David will be missed. RIP Cobra.
R.I.P. Cobra.
Fun fact: Upper Deck is the last company to feature a new Dave Parker card in their base set in 1992, which was also the only card he ever appears in wearing a Blue Jays uniform
Though he is not necessarily remembered as such—I was there, and he was the toughest out in those Pirates lineups. Good that he lived to see his overdue admission to the HOF.
Only 74? Was he ill?
I believe he was suffering from Parkinson’s disease
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012. RIP.
It’s in the article.
Parkinson’s. Had suffered from it for many years.
Read the article. That’s why they write them. It’s in the first sentence. My goodness people are lazy.
“When the leaves turn brown, I’ll be wearing the batting crown.” – The Cobra
My favorite player during the last five seasons of the 1970’s, Parker combined with “Pops” made baseball fun to watch
RIP Hall of Famer you will be missed
RIP Dave.
I had the fortunate opportunity to meet him many years ago at a company event.
Remember Dave fondly with the Reds. RIP good sir.
Should have won a second MVP in 85 RIP.
When he played for the Angels, he and Dave Winfield had shirts made up, which read, something like, “Mother Never Told You there Would be Daves’s like this”
Story Two. In Spring training, A friend of mine bumped into Doug Radar, then Angel manager, right after Parker was traded to the Angels and told Doug Rader the the trade was a mistake. Doug Rader said “Do you think Bichette will ever be as good of a hitter as Dave Parker is right now?”
My friend said, “Yes”. Dave Parker was released in September with a 76 OPS+, and Bichette went on to hit 250+ HRs.
you forgot to mention that when Parker played for the Angels he was 40 years old and still managed to hit 11 homers that year, finishing with 339 homers for his career
I didn’t forget, it was irrelevant to the story.
Everyone knows Dave Parker was old. I also didn’t say the Angels played Spring training in Palm Springs. It wasn’t relevant.
Your friend was still wrong if you take into account Bichette hit 201 of his 274 career Home Runs with the Rockies, and 137 of those were in Denver pre-humidor
Parker was really bad for the Angels. But it’s a lot bigger than that. After the 1990 season and before the 1991 season, it was some idiots idea to drop Brian Downing and Chili Davis and replace them with Dave Parker.
The Angels basically replaced Downing, Davis and Bichette for Dave Parker. I called in an Angel radio show prior to the season and they didn’t even want to field my objection. They hung up on me after I told them what I wanted to talk about.
That was one of the dumbest moves the Angels ever made. Everyone who was part of that move deserved to lose their job.
That idiot was Mike Port, who was fairly bad at player acquisitions but did draft the likes of Tim Salmon, Jim Edmonds, Garrett Anderson, Gary DiSarcina, and Troy Percival.
I always got the impression Rader was the man behind that deal. I was a huge Brian Downing fan and he didn’t like Rader. I’m sure the feeling was reciprocated.
Downing should have retired an Angel. Toughest player I’ve ever seen.
I felt Sparky Anderson delayed the Tigers rebuild too when he arrived in 1979.
RIP
RIP Dave…..
RIP Dave! We are family! Pirates mottto that year!
this is messed up. he should have been alive to see himself become immortalized in baseball history.
One of the mot dangerous hitters I’ve ever seen and also had one of the best arms. RIP Dave!
2 of the best arms I’ve ever seen both played for the Pirates. Clemente and Parker. If you were on 1st and there was a single to right you just coasted into 2nd because there was no way you were trying them.
At least Dave Parker knew he was going in, unlike Dick Allen, who moronic uneducated sports writers
kept him out because they refused to accept OPS+ as anything but a nerds curiosity…..
Glad he made the hall when he was alive. Picked himself up after what happened in Pittsburgh and revived career. Rest in peace, Dave.
RIP Cobra. You will be missed. You was one of many players I really loved seeing play ball, even though you were not on my hometown team.
That throw in the 1979 All Star Game made me fall in love with the game of baseball. I’m so incredibly sad for him not to live long enough to be part of his own induction into the HOF. R.I.P. to The Cobra…
Dangerous hitter. Would battle in the box as tough as anyone I’ve ever seen, perhaps Wade Boggs and Tony Gwynn as well. RIP for a life well lived.
So very sad. RIP Cobra.
The THROWS… in said all-star game… nailing Brian Downing at home but also earlier…. Jim Rice at third!!! What a performance!!!
I’m shocked at this loss, but at least Cobra went to rest happily knowing that he’s in the Hall. Tribute for him in Cooperstown soon.
Dang, and only about a month before the HOF induction ceremony. At least he got in before he passed though. RIP Cobra.
Dang?
Ironic. If he wasn’t sick, I don’t think he would have been elected, yet he was too sick to enjoy the ceremony.
Personally, I think he would have chose not to be sick.
RIP Cobra. Another of my youth.
RIP Cobra!
One of my all-time favorite players, so energetic and powerful, his sole presence at bat was enough to scare the opposition. Admired as a truly idol in Venezuela, RIP.
RIP.
Happy he got to see his HOF induction.
It would’ve been fun to watch him more in his hey day.. by the time he was traded to my team (OAKALND A’s) his knees were shot ..still helped us get a 🏆 before he left for Milwaukee and one more all-star appearance while we traded for Harold Baines
RIP. One of my favorite players growing up. Remember seeing him in a game when younger and he looked like a giant compared to other players. Great player.
If you hear any noise
It’s just me and the boys!
RIP, Cobra!
One of my best friends in high school nicknamed his nephew Cobra.
I wish that he was not involved with the drug scene,but as a player,he was one of the most talented ever.
The Pirates were lucky to have him.
RIP Dave Parker.
R.I.P.. They need to change the HOF election process so guys are getting elected in their 40s, when they have decades to enjoy the honor and their parents are alive to see it.
Without checking, probably most are, since eligibility begins five years after retirement for contemporary players. If they are passed over by the committee during this eligibility period they become eligible for the Era Committee 16 years after retirement.
Baseball has lost a great many high valued players recently from Mays to Henderson to Parker…
Never been a Bucs fan but was a fan of him. Always seemed like a great guy played the game right. Too bad he couldn’t get or watch the ceremony. Knowing he got in and his legacy wil go on. Hope that was enough for him. He passed with the pride of knowing he made it. RIP Mr Parker.
This 15 year old diehard Orioles fan in 1979 hated the Pirates. That “We Are Family” team ruined my year, and Cobra was a huge reason. RIP Cobra, forever respect. Glad the HoF committee got it right, and sorry you’re not able to enjoy the day.
The Pirates Reds,Orioles,and A’s were the best teams of the 1970’s.
I was a freshman in college in 1971 and the student who turned out to be my best friend was from southern Pennsylvania but rooted for the Orioles.
He impressed me in a negative way.
He was the only one who rooted for the Orioles,and I thought that he was doing it just to be against everyone else.
The Pirates came back in both World Series and beat one of the greatest teams of all time both years.
Like Andre Dawson, knees all but ruined by the concrete astroturf of the day. Still. had a good long career. He and Ellis Valentine had the best arms in baseball then, or at least in the NL.
R.I.P Cobra, one of the best players on the 1979 Pirates.
Condolences to his family. RIP Mr. Parker, remember as a kid collecting Dave Parker baseball cards. True Outfielder w rocket.
Parker Should have been in the HOF 15 years ago.
What a disgrace.
I was like 12 when he played for the crew, thought it was the coolest thing ever that he swung a sledgehammer to warm up. RIP
Reporter: “Cobra, why do wear a Star of David? You’re not Jewish are you?”
Dave: “No but my name is David, and I’m a Star.”
Great memory… while in high school in Bradenton FL, I was doing a beach day instead of going to school during spring of 79. While there, I noticed a real tall black guy speaking to a rather short white man. I recognized him as being Dave Parker of the Pirates. Being a brash kid, I ran up to him as he was leaving in his Trans Am. He was amazing, stopped for a while and talked to me and invited me to McKechnie Field for the game the next day. I went (of course, it was DAVE PARKER).. after the game tons of kids were outside the clubhouse in right field, and he walks out and calls me by name. These kids looked at me like I was a God. Anyway, went in the clubhouse and was treated like a rock star. Met the team, got some autographs, it was awesome. After about 30-45 minutes I left. What an experience …R.I.P. Cobra…. Should’ve been in the Hall of Fame years ago
I met Mr Parker twice off the field. He was a true gentleman both times, took time outside during a very cold January evening to sign autographs and talk to some fans. RIP David Gene Parker
A sad day for baseball. Rest Cobra
RIP to one of the greatest pirates of all time, Dave Parker 1951-2025
R.I.P…………..I HOPE KURT GIBSON IS DOING WELL.
I always loved Dave. Here’s a crazy statement about modern day statistics.
Dave was 5th in the National League MVP voting in 1986 with a o.3 bWAR. That’s zero point three folks.
Then in 1989 he was 11th in the American League MVP voting with the same o.3 bWAR.
In 1987 he hit .253/.311/.433 with 28 doubles, 26 home runs, 97 RBI and 7 stolen bases and had a -1.2 bWAR (1.2 games below replacement level).
I generally look at WAR and give it due credence however those particular WAR numbers are just stupid.
In 1987 Dave Parker had a wRC+ of 87 and an OPS+ of 92. He was a slightly above average hitter in 89 who didn’t get on base and played 22 innings in the field.
I don’t think WAR did a bad job.
RIP Cobra
Outfield assists are some of the most exciting plays in baseball. He had many… and many fewer because some guys were smart and didn’t run on him.
What a life. Parkinson’s is a cruel disease. RIP Cobra and I’m praying for strength and peace for his family.
Fearsome presence at the plate and in RF. I recall that well as Mets fan seeing him in same division NL East 18 or 19 games a year in addition to national TV games and playoffs.
It’s sad that he passed less than a month shy of Hall induction, but his family will step in for him proud as ever.
One of the best 5 tool players, really enjoyed watching him play. At least Willie Stargell and Dave Parker are together watching MLB nightly now.
R . I . P. Dave “Copra” Parker
Will always be in my Hall of Fame..
Rest in plush…Cobra was so good I’d bet even as of yesterday he could of given the A’s 3 for 4 with a double and maybe 2 RBI
Sure felt his presence on the field (even though he was DH) RIP #39
One of my all time favorites growing up! RIP Cobra…
What a career and life. Lost in it all was the Pirates signing someone to the largest contract in baseball history.
He also had one of the greatest arms in baseball history.
He also did copious amounts of blow and was photographed with his teammates smoking a heater in a dugout in Spring Training.
Dude was an absolute menace.
RIP Cobra
What a life.
He was my idol growing up. Very sad to hear of his passing. 😞
I heard on the radio today that when Parker was asked why he wore a Star of David, he said, “because I’m a star and my name is David”.
One of a kind.
Absolute legend. RIP.
Pittsburgh Lumber Company.
Remember being pumped to find out Parker became a Blue Jay as a kid, not knowing he was ineligible for postseason play. It would have been nice to see him speak at Cooperstown. RIP Cobra.
I always thought Jim Rice was a big man, until he and Parker were back to back on the cover of Sports Illustrated. I’m a Red Sox fan , but I loved that 79 Pirates team. So many characters. All the uniform combos and Pop’s Stars. “We are family” What a team.
RIP
Dave Parker
Kind of a shock this morning to see this
I have a beautiful graded PSA 9 1976 Topps card of Dave Parker. What a masher!
I saw him homer against Garrelts in game 1 of the 1989 World Series as an Oakland A.
RIP Dave Parker.
R.i.p. What an arm!
Bringing up his substance abuse issues in this article was bad form. Yes, they happened. Just no need to bring it up in his death notice. And his arrogance?? C’mon Mark. You’re better than that.
I might agree if this article wasn’t also accounting for why Parker had not been admitted to the HOF earlier.
Why wasn’t he already in the hall?
I’ll never forget when he was part of This Week in Baseball intro video at the begging of each show. Every week you’d see his 1979 allstar game throws from RF gunning out guys at third and home. He gunned out Brian Downing in the 9th inning to preserve a 6-6 tie, and was game MVP. What an arm. Legendary. RIP Dave.