Dave Parker, the powerful outfielder affectionately known as “The Cobra,” has died at the age of 74, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Saturday. His passing comes just weeks before he was set to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
No details about the cause of his death have been released. The Pirates shared the news with fans ahead of their game against the New York Mets, holding a moment of silence in his honor.
Standing 6-foot-5, Parker was a towering presence in Major League Baseball, both physically and in spirit. He made his MLB debut in 1973 and spent 19 seasons in the league, including 11 with the Pirates. Parker won the National League MVP award in 1978, captured two batting titles, and played a key role in Pittsburgh’s 1979 World Series championship. A decade later, he earned another World Series ring with the Oakland Athletics in 1989.
Pirates owner Bob Nutting reflected on Parker’s impact. “All of us who grew up in the ‘70s remember how special Dave was,” he said. “He had a big personality and his passing has left a bigger void for all who knew him. Our hearts go out to his wife, Kellye, and his family.”
Parker finished his career with a .290 batting average, 339 home runs, and 1,493 RBIs. Over his career, he also played for the Reds, Brewers, Angels, and Blue Jays. In December, he was elected to the Hall of Fame by a special committee, and he was set to be officially inducted in Cooperstown on July 27.
Jane Forbes Clark, chairperson of the Hall of Fame, praised his legacy: “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.”
Born on June 9, 1951, in Grenada, Mississippi, Parker grew up in Cincinnati, where he was a standout athlete at Courter Tech High School. After leaving Pittsburgh in 1983, he returned to his hometown to play for the Reds, where he spent four seasons. In 1985, he led the National League with 125 RBIs and finished second in MVP voting.
Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, a former teammate in Cincinnati, admired Parker’s unique skill set. “He was such a big dude at a time when there weren’t many 6-foot-5, 230-pound dynamic defenders who could also win batting titles and hit with power,” Larkin said. “Everything about him was impressive.”
The Reds also issued a statement honoring Parker’s legacy: “Dave was a towering figure on the field, in the clubhouse, and in the Cincinnati community, where his baseball journey began. His impact on the game and this franchise will never be forgotten.”
In 2012, Parker revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He spoke openly about the emotional moment he learned of his Hall of Fame selection. “Yeah, I cried,” he admitted. “It only took a few minutes, because I don’t cry.”
Parker also left his mark on the 1989 World Series, hitting a home run in the opener and helping lead the Oakland A’s to a sweep of the San Francisco Giants. He later credited himself with motivating Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire—the “Bash Brothers”—to bring home the title.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement expressing his condolences: “All of us throughout the game are deeply saddened by this loss. We will remember the Cobra forever, especially as his name soon officially joins the legends of our national pastime.”
Pittsburgh star Andrew McCutchen paid tribute to Parker following the Pirates’ 9-2 win over the Mets. “He had to be like Superman to people when he was playing,” McCutchen said. “He was larger than life on the field and had a larger-than-life personality, too.”
Parker was a seven-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner in right field. By the time he retired in 1991, he was one of only five players in MLB history with at least 500 doubles, 300 home runs, 150 stolen bases, and 2,700 hits.
Reflecting on his career after being named to the Hall of Fame, Parker said: “I was a five-tool player. I could do them all. I never trotted to first base. I don’t know if people noticed that, but I ran hard on every play.”
Dave Parker’s legacy as one of baseball’s greats will live on—not just in Cooperstown, but in the hearts of fans who witnessed his remarkable career.
Also Read:
Dave Parker and Dick Allen elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame
