PITTSBURGH — The baseball community was in mourning Saturday afternoon following the passing of Dave Parker, the legendary Pittsburgh Pirates slugger and Hall of Famer, who died at age 74. The Pirates announced the devastating news just minutes before their matchup with the New York Mets at PNC Park, where fans and players observed a moment of silence in tribute to the man known as “The Cobra.”
Parker’s storied career was marked by his immense power, rocket-like throwing arm, and larger-than-life charisma. Selected by the Pirates in the 1970 draft, he quickly rose to stardom in the 1970s. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Parker was a fearsome presence at the plate, known for launching fastballs with a graceful but explosive swing that earned him back-to-back National League batting titles in 1977 and 1978, as well as the league’s MVP award in ’78.
Dave Parker was a cornerstone of the legendary 1979 “We Are Family” Pittsburgh Pirates—a team defined by its swagger, chemistry, and championship heart. That year, the Pirates triumphed in a thrilling seven-game World Series against the Baltimore Orioles, with Parker batting .345 and driving in four runs to further cement his reputation as a clutch performer.
His journey, however, was not without turbulence. Injuries and off-field issues—including a well-publicized battle with cocaine addiction—cast shadows over his prime years. But Parker’s resilience shone through. In the 1980s, he revitalized his career, collecting three Gold Gloves in right field and becoming a feared presence at the plate for both the Cincinnati Reds and Oakland Athletics. He added another World Series ring to his collection in 1989 with Oakland.
Following his retirement in 1991, Parker remained a beloved figure in Pittsburgh, regularly attending Pirates alumni events and mentoring younger generations of players. His enshrinement into both the Pirates Hall of Fame and, more recently, the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2025) affirmed his place among baseball’s elite.
Though “The Cobra” is gone, his legacy endures—in stat sheets, in clubhouse tales, and in the hearts of Pirates fans who saw him as more than a ballplayer—he was a force of nature.
Rest in peace, Dave Parker.
SOURCE: SI.COM
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