Dave Parker death: Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder known as 'the Cobra,' dies at 74 after Parkinson's disease: Pittsburgh Pirates
Share this @internewscast.com

PITTSBURGH — Dave Parker, a renowned power-hitting outfielder scheduled for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame next month, has passed away, as announced by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. He was 74.

Details regarding Parker’s death were not immediately disclosed. The Pirates communicated the news to the audience just before their game against the New York Mets, followed by a moment of silence in his honor.

Nicknamed “the Cobra,” Parker, who stood at 6-foot-5, debuted in the major leagues in 1973, playing for 19 seasons, with 11 of those being with the Pirates. He was the NL MVP in 1978, won a World Series with Pittsburgh in the following year, and secured another championship with the Oakland Athletics in 1989.

“All of us who grew up in the ’70s remember how special Dave was,” Pirates owner Bob Nutting said in a statement. “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 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.

“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,” Hall chairman Jane Forbes Clark 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.”

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.

“He was such a big dude at a time when there weren’t that many ‘6-foot-5, 230-pound, dynamic defender, batting champion with power’ guys,” Hall of Famer and Reds teammate Barry Larkin said. “Everything about him was impressive.”

In a statement, the Reds said: “Dave was a towering figure on the field, in the clubhouse and in the Cincinnati community, where his baseball journey began, playing on the fields near his home and going to games at Crosley Field. Dave’s impact on the game and this franchise will never be forgotten.”

Parker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012.

He told reporters that he burst into tears upon 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.

“All of us throughout the game are deeply saddened by this loss,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “We will remember the Cobra forever, especially as his name soon officially joins the legends of our national pastime.”

Pirates veteran and 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen paid tribute to Parker after Pittsburgh beat the New York Mets 9-2.

“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 right fielder, and when he retired after the 1991 season, he was one of only five players with at least 500 doubles, 300 homers, 150 stolen bases and 2,700 hits.

“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.”

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Banjo Player Béla Fleck Cancels Kennedy Center Shows over 'Politics'

Renowned Banjo Virtuoso Béla Fleck Calls Off Kennedy Center Concerts Due to Political Dispute

Béla Fleck, the renowned banjo virtuoso, has decided to cancel his upcoming…
Familiar groups mobilize immediately after ICE shooting of Minnesota protester

Community Activists Rally After ICE-Involved Shooting in Minnesota Sparks Outcry

Following a Minnesota protest that turned deadly, a network of activists quickly…
Morning Minute: Live, From Jefferson City...

Start Your Day with the Latest Updates from Jefferson City

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 Good morning! Welcome to RedState’s “Morning Minute,” your…
Gretchen’s table: Papas con rajas tacos are a spicy, cheesy fiesta

Gretchen’s Table Introduces Spicy, Cheesy Delight with Papas con Rajas Tacos

By Gretchen McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The holiday season often turns into a…
Minnesota Quality Learning Center featured in Nick Shirley video shuts down, state says

Minnesota Quality Learning Center Closes Following Spotlight in Nick Shirley Video, State Confirms

The Minnesota daycare center that gained notoriety after being featured in a…
Uvalde trial halted after key witness changes testimony

Uvalde Trial Drama Unfolds: Key Witness’s Shocking Testimony U-Turn Halts Proceedings

The trial of a former school police officer from Uvalde, Texas, charged…
Corrupt FBI Grooms Mentally Ill Teen into ‘ISIS Terrorist’ to Stage New Year’s Eve ‘Attack’

FBI Accused of Manipulating Vulnerable Teen into ISIS-Inspired New Year’s Eve Plot

The DOJ claims Christian Sturdivant ‘self-radicalized,’ but records show the 18-year-old was…
2026 Actor Awards Nominations: Disney stars including Sterling K. Brown, Adam Brody and more score big 

2026 Actor Awards: Disney Stars Dominate with Sterling K. Brown and Adam Brody Leading the Pack

The highly anticipated Actor Awards nominations have been unveiled, spotlighting performances from…
911 call at Ohio dentist's home reported 'domestic dispute' months before he and wife found shot dead: records

Mysterious ‘Banging’ Report: The Chilling 911 Call Before Ohio Dentist Couple’s Tragic Deaths

Just a week and a half before an Ohio dentist and his…
Florida boater accused of killing teen in crash avoids jail time with plea deal

Florida Boater Strikes Plea Deal, Escapes Jail in Teen Crash Case

A man has confessed to being involved in a tragic boating accident…
With a vow to ‘calm tensions,’ Julie Menin elected NYC Council’s first Jewish speaker

Julie Menin Makes History as NYC Council’s First Jewish Speaker: A Promise to Ease Tensions

Julie Menin has made history by being elected as the new speaker…
Iranian protesters rename Tehran street after Trump, plead 'don't let them kill us' amid crackdown

Iranian Protesters Rename Tehran Street in Honor of Trump, Urge International Intervention Amid Escalating Crackdown

In the last day, protests across Iran have gained momentum, with demonstrators…