Pittsburgh (AP)-Dave Parker, a hard outfielder who would be initiated in the Baseball Hall of Fame next month, died, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Saturday. He was 74.
No further details about Parker’s death were immediately available. The Pirates informed the crowd of his death just before the start of their match against the New York Mets and had a moment of silence.
Nicknamed ‘The Cobra’, the 6-foot-5 Parker made his Major League debut in 1973 and played 19 seasons, 11 for the Pirates. He was the NL MVP in 1978, won a World Series with Pittsburgh a year later and then won a championship with the Oakland Athletics in 1989.
“All who grew up in the 1970s remember how special Dave was,” said Pirates -owner Bob Nuting in a statement. “He had a great personality and his death left a greater emptiness for everyone who knew him. Our hearts go to his wife, Kellye and his family.”
Parker won NL -Batting -titles in 1977 and ’78. He ended his career as .290 Hitter with 339 homers and 1,493 RBIs. He also played for Cincinnati, Milwaukee, the California Angels and Toronto.
Parker was chosen in December by a special committee in the Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York, is planned for July 27.
“We join the baseball family in remembering Dave Parker. His legacy will be one of courage and leadership, only matched by his excellent performances on the field,” said Hall chairman Jane Forbes Clark. “His election to the Hall of Fame in December brought him, his family and all fans who wondered about his remarkable skills.”
Parker, born on June 9, 1951 in Grenada, Mississippi, grew up in Cincinnati and was a three-sports star at Courter Tech High School.
After playing for Pittsburgh from 1973-83, he signed at his hometown of Reds and spent four seasons at the club. In 1985 he led the NL with 125 RBIs and became second in the MVP mood.
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“He was such a big guy at a time when there was not so many ‘6-foot-5, 230 pounds, dynamic defender, battle champion with Power’ boys,” said Hall of Famer and Reds teammate Barry Larkin. “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 trip started, played on the fields near his house and went to games on Crosley Field. Dave’s impact and this franchise will never be forgotten.”
Parker was diagnosed in 2012 with Parkinson’s disease.
He told reporters that he burst into tears When learning his selection on the Hall of Fame.
“Yes, I was crying,” Parker said after receiving the news. “It only took a few minutes, because I don’t cry.”
Parker Homerde for the As in the World Series opener of 1989 and took the honor for helping the Bash Brothers of Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire the title with a four-game Sweep from San Francisco.
“We are all deeply saddened by this loss during the game,” said baseball commissioner Rob Manfred in a statement. “We will remember the Cobra forever, especially because his name will soon become an official member of the legends of our national pastime.”
Parker was a sevenfold all-star and triple Gold 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 player with five holes. I could do them all,” Parker said after his selection of the hall. “I never improved to first base. I don’t know if people have noticed that, but I ran hard at every game.”
