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
Russian minister found dead hours after Putin fired him

Russian Official Discovered Dead Shortly After Dismissal by Putin

Russia’s transport minister, who also previously served as governor of the Kursk…
Trump Moderate: Unraveling the Extremist Narrative

Trump the Centrist: Debunking the Radical Mythology

A recent New York Times opinion by Jamelle Bouie, dated July 2,…
Texas dad refused to let go of 'his babies' during flood — and all were swept away, witness says

Texas Father Clung to ‘His Babies’ During Flood — All Were Swept Away, Witness Reports

KERRVILLE, Texas — In a tragic incident during the floods, a desperate…
Man in blue Tivy Antlers shirt at a football game.

Camp Mystic Director’s Heroic Last Effort to Rescue Girls from Texas Floods as Torrential Waters Swept Through Cabins, Killing 27

THE director of Camp Mystic desperately tried to save young girls in…
Mets can finally use ideal starting rotation to end first half

Mets Set to Utilize Perfect Pitching Lineup to Round Out Season’s First Half

On Sunday, Carlos Mendoza tried to keep his composure, but if there…
'America Party' proves Elon Musk needs a political time-out

“Elon Musk Requires a Political Break, as Demonstrated by ‘America Party'”

Uncharacteristically, Elon Musk is doing a dumb thing.  This weekend, his threat…
Watch: Eric Swalwell's Attempt to Troll Donald Trump Goes All Kinds of Wrong

A Hilarious Observation on ‘Robot Eric Swalwell’ Walk Reveals Something You Can’t Unsee

I’m just gonna say it. Eric Swalwell is a weird dude.  I’ve…
Jill Zarin returns with her 12th annual Hamptons Luxury Luncheon cancer benefit

Jill Zarin Hosts 12th Annual Hamptons Luxury Luncheon to Support Cancer Research

She’s back! Jill Zarin’s annual luxury luncheon in the Hamptons will be…
Whitney Purvis arrested: '16 and Pregnant' star charged with involuntary manslaughter

’16 and Pregnant’ Star Whitney Purvis Arrested for Involuntary Manslaughter

The former reality TV star’s arrest is linked to a man’s fatal…
Orlando man arrested for 3 unsolved rapes in Jacksonville more than 20 years ago

Orlando Man Charged with Three Cold Case Rape Incidents in Jacksonville from Over Two Decades Ago

Jason Leonard Blount, 52, faces three counts of felony first-degree sexual battery…
‘Below Deck’ Star Damo Yörg Gushes Over Steamy Kiss With Fraser Olender: “He’s An Absolute Babe”

‘Below Deck’ Star Damo Yörg Excitedly Talks About Passionate Kiss With Fraser Olender: “He’s Such a Heartthrob”

Damo Yörg has had “a lot of dudes” in his DMs ever…
Former Chicago journalists Becky Schlikerman, Kim Janssen take legal action, lost Altadena home in Southern California wildfires

Ex-Chicago Reporters Becky Schlikerman and Kim Janssen Sue Over Losing Altadena Home in Southern California Wildfires

CHICAGO (WLS) — It has been six months since the deadly Eaton…