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
Former UK police officer found guilty in brutal killing of wife who uncovered his double life

Ex-UK Officer Convicted for Wife’s Murder After She Discovered His Secret Life

A former police officer from England has been convicted of murdering his…
Delta Airlines Boeing 767-400 with engine fire during takeoff.

Terrifying Incident: Boeing Plane’s Engine Catches Fire Shortly After Takeoff

THIS is the frightening moment a Boeing passenger plane catches fire after…
Trump administration seeks release of Epstein grand jury records but not Justice Department files

Trump Administration Requests Epstein Grand Jury Records but Excludes Justice Department Files

WASHINGTON (AP) — Under significant pressure from President Donald Trump’s own allies,…
Crowd at Tomorrowland electronic music festival with damaged main stage being dismantled.

35-Year-Old Woman Passes Away after Fire Destroys Tomorrowland’s Main Stage, Causing Festival Delays

A WOMAN has died at Tomorrowland hours after the festival opened following…
Disneyland begins its 70th anniversary celebration in an uplifting way

Disneyland Kicks Off its 70th Anniversary Celebration in a Spirited Manner

On July 17, 1955, Disneyland welcomed visitors for the first time. Since…
JSO: 2-year-old girl missing, believed to be with 26-year-old woman

2-Year-Old Girl Reported Missing, Suspected to Be with 26-Year-Old Woman: JSO

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has announced that Rieva Scarlett is missing. The…
Walking this many steps more per minute can help you age better

Increase Your Step Count per Minute for Better Aging Benefits

Want to stay strong in your golden years? It might be time…
Portrait of a man smiling.

Coldplay Kiss Cam CEO Andy Byron Steps Down Amid Cheating Allegations

ASTRONOMER CEO Andy Byron caught in the Coldplay “cheating” scandal has resigned…
First-ever brown bear emergency issued in Japanese town

Japanese Town Issues First-Ever Emergency Alert for Brown Bear

A hunter disappeared in Japan near a recent sighting of a brown…
Ed Miliband’s deputy sent secret Whatsapp messages to Labour rebels working to torpedo PM’s welfare reforms

Ed Miliband’s Deputy Privately Coordinated with Labour Rebels to Undermine PM’s Welfare Reforms Through Whatsapp Messages

ED Miliband’s protege sent secret Whatsapp messages to Labour rebels working to…
World premiere of 'That's What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne And Patti' wows audiences at Black Ensemble Theater in Uptown

Debut of ‘That’s What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne And Patti’ Impresses at Black Ensemble Theater in Uptown

CHICAGO (WLS) — The world premiere of “That’s What Friends Are For:…
Israel strikes Syria's military headquarters as the regime clashes with Druze civilians

Israeli Forces Target Syria’s Military HQ Amid Tensions with Druze Civilians

Israel announced on Wednesday that its forces struck near the entrance of…