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
DSA calls for 'ending US empire,' mourns Iranian ayatollah's 'extrajudicial'

DSA Advocates for US Imperialism’s End While Criticizing Treatment of Iranian Ayatollah

This week, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), including members aligned with…
Pentagon IDs 4 American troops killed in Kuwait

President Trump to Honor Fallen Soldiers with Families at Emotional Middle East Repatriation Ceremony

WASHINGTON — On Saturday, President Donald Trump is set to join mourning…
Kamala Harris, Barack Obama use Jesse Jackson funeral to unload on Trump

Kamala Harris and Barack Obama Address Trump Criticisms During Eulogy at Jesse Jackson’s Funeral

While President Trump was absent from the high-profile memorial service for the…
Mamdani claims wife Rama Duwaji isn't a public figure — despite glossy magazine profiles — after uproar over Oct. 7 post 'likes'

Mamdani Defends Wife Rama Duwaji’s Privacy Amid Controversy Over Social Media Activity

On Friday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani asserted that his wife, Rama Duwaji, is…
Two 20-year-olds arrested for exchanging weapons near Bradford High School, sheriff says

Two Young Adults Detained in Weapons Exchange Incident Near Bradford High School, Authorities Report

In a swift and decisive response, Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith confirmed…
Kristi Noem was 'dead as fried chicken' after congressional hearing, Sen. John Kennedy reveals

Sen. John Kennedy Describes Kristi Noem’s Exhaustion Post-Congressional Hearing

Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana didn’t mince words when he discussed his…
Teens inspired by ‘Scream’ recorded ‘first kill’ plot before stabbing classmate to death

Chilling ‘Scream’ Imitation: Teens Documented Murder Plot Before Fatally Stabbing Classmate

Two teenagers transformed their fascination with slasher films into a horrifying reality.…
Trump wants return to pre-NIL era in NCAA sports roundtable

Trump Advocates for NCAA Sports Reform: Calls for Return to Pre-NIL Regulations

Former President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to turn back the…
Four illegal immigrants linked to MS-13 indicted for allegedly murdering 14-year-old boy in Maryland park

Four Suspected MS-13 Members Indicted in Connection with Murder of 14-Year-Old in Maryland Park

Four alleged members of the infamous MS-13 gang have been charged with…
Driver accused of attempting to mow down cop during street takeover strolls free hours later on $3K bond

Motorist Allegedly Attempts to Run Down Officer During Street Takeover, Released on $3K Bond Hours Later

A woman from North Carolina, accused of hitting a police officer with…
Hegseth declares ‘no one’s putting us in danger’ after reports that Russia giving Iran intelligence on US forces

Hegseth Asserts Safety Amidst Reports of Russia Sharing Intel with Iran on US Forces

Amid growing concerns over potential intelligence collaboration between Russia and Iran, War…
NYC tries to limit right to record cops

NYC’s Controversial Move: New Restrictions on Recording Police Spark Debate

Throughout the United States, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), often…