Dave Parker, a legendary outfielder and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 74. The Pittsburgh Pirates announced his passing on Saturday, with no further details available.
Parker, nicknamed “the Cobra,” spent 11 years with the Pirates and won two batting titles, an MVP award, and a World Series Championship in 1979. He played 19 seasons in the major leagues, including stints with the Oakland Athletics and Toronto.
The Hall of Fame announced Parker’s induction in December, with his ceremony set for July 27. The Baseball Hall of Fame committee praised Parker’s legacy as one of courage and leadership, matched only by his outstanding accomplishments on the field.
Parker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012 but continued to play and inspire fans until his passing. He is remembered for his impressive career statistics, including a .290 hitter with 339 homers and 1,493 RBIs.
The baseball world has paid tribute to Parker, with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Reds teammate Barry Larkin sharing condolences on social media. The Pirates have also held a moment of silence in honor of the late legend.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45604595/dave-parker-pirates-hall-famer-7-all-star-dies