Pirates Legend Dave Parker Passes Away At Age 74

Dave Parker, a former Pittsburgh Pirates legend and recently inducted Hall of Famer, died at the age of 74.

The Pirates confirmed the news Saturday afternoon on social media.

“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Dave Parker,” the team wrote. “A legendary Pirate, Parker spent 11 years in a Pirates uniform, winning two batting titles, an MVP award and a World Series Championship in 1979. The Cobra was part of the inaugural Pirates Hall of Fame class in 2022, and will be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown next month.”

Parker began his career with the Pirates, who drafted him in 1970. From 1973 to 1983, the outfielder batted .305/.353/.494 with 166 home runs and 123 stolen bases.

Parker won back-to-back batting titles in 1973 and 1974, earning National League MVP honors in the latter year with 30 home runs and a career-high .979 OPS. The five-tool phenom also won three consecutive Gold Gloves from 1973 to 1975.

The left-handed hitter became the first MLB player to earn $1 million annually when signing a five-year, $5 million contract in 1979. Parker promptly validated the investment by guiding Pittsburgh to a 1979 World Series title with 14 hits in 10 postseason games.

“Cobra” tapped into his power when landing back-to-back Silver Slugger nods with the Cincinnati Reds, where he hit 65 combined home runs in 1985 and 1986. A decade after his first title, Parker won another World Series as a member of the Oakland Athletics in 1989.

Parker spent short stints with the Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels and Toronto Blue Jays before concluding his career. The seven-time All-Star finished with 2,712 hits, 339 home runs and a .810 OPS.

The Classic Baseball Era Committee recently elected Parker into the Hall of Fame, with the ceremony taking place on July 27.

“We join the baseball family in remembering Dave Parker. His legacy will be one of courage and leadership, matched only by his outstanding accomplishments on the field,” Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, said. “His election to the Hall of Fame in December brought great joy to him, his family and all the fans who marveled at his remarkable abilities. We will honor his incredible life and career at next month’s Induction Ceremony in Cooperstown, where his legacy will be remembered forever.”