BALTIMORE (AP) — Former Major League Baseball outfielder Dave Parker, a seven-time All-Star and soon-to-be Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, has died at the age of 74, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced Saturday (June 28).
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Dave Parker,” the Pirates shared in a statement on social media. “A legendary Pirate, Parker spent 11 years in a Pirates uniform, winning two batting titles, an MVP award, and helping lead the team to a World Series title in 1979. Nicknamed ‘The Cobra,’ he was part of the inaugural Pirates Hall of Fame class in 2022 and was set to be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown next month.”
No further details regarding Parker’s passing were immediately released.
Parker began his MLB career with the Pirates in 1973, playing 11 seasons in Pittsburgh before continuing with the Cincinnati Reds (1984–1987), Oakland Athletics (1988–1989), Milwaukee Brewers (1990), California Angels (1991), and Toronto Blue Jays (1991).
Over his 19-season career, Parker earned the 1978 National League MVP award, won two World Series championships — with the Pirates in 1979 and the Athletics in 1989 — and collected numerous accolades including three Gold Glove Awards (1977–1979) and three Silver Slugger Awards (1985, 1986, 1990). He also led the National League in batting in both 1977 and 1978 and topped the NL in RBIs in 1985.
“All of us throughout the game are deeply saddened by this loss,” MLB 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. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Dave’s family and his fans across the baseball world.”
