Dave Parker, Hall of Fame outfielder nicknamed ‘the Cobra,’ dies at 74
Pittsburgh – Dave Parker, a hard -hitting voltiger who was to be inducted at the reproductive temple of baseball next month, died, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Saturday. He was 74 years old.
No other details on the death of Parker was immediately available. The pirates informed the crowd of his death just before the start of their match against the New York dishes and held a moment of silence.
Nicknamed “The Cobra”, the 6 feet 5 inch made its debut in the major league 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, then won another championship in 1989 with the Oakland Athletics.
“We all grew up in the 1970s, we recall how special Dave was,” said the owner of the pirates, Bob Nutting, in a statement. “He had a great personality and his death left a bigger vacuum for all those who knew him. Our hearts go to his wife, Kellye, and to his family. ”
Parker won the NL shot titles in 1977 and 1978. He ended his career as a shot of .290 with 339 circuits and 1,493 products produced. He also played for Cincinnati, Milwaukee, the California Angels and Toronto.
Parker was elected to the renowned temple by a special committee in December. The Cooperstown enthronement ceremony, New York, is scheduled for July 27.
“We join the baseball family to remember Dave Parker. His heritage will be that of courage and leadership, equal only by his exceptional achievements on the field,” said Hall president Jane Forbes Clark. “His election to the temple of fame in December brought him great joy, his family and all the fans who amazed by his remarkable capacities.”
Born on June 9, 1951 at the Grenada, Mississippi, Parker grew up in Cincinnati and was a star of three sports at courter Tech high school.
After playing for Pittsburgh from 1973 to 1983, he signed with his hometown Reds and spent four seasons with the club. In 1985, he led the NL with 125 points produced and finished second in the MVP vote.
“He was such a big guy at a time when there was not a lot of dynamic defender 6 feet 5 inches, 230 pounds, shot champion with Power ”, said the teammate of the temple of renown and the Reds, Barry Larkin.” Everything that was impressive. “
In a press release, the Reds said: “Dave was an imposing figure on the field, in the clubhouse and in the Cincinnati community, where its baseball trip started, playing on the fields near his home and going to games to Crosley Field. The impact of Dave on the game and this franchise will never be forgotten.”
Parker received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2012.
He told journalists he had melted in tears when he learned of his selection at the fame of fame.
“Yeah, I cried,” said Parker after receiving the news. “It only took a few minutes, because I don’t cry.”
Parker dominated the A during the opening of the World Series in 1989 and took the merit of having helped the Bash brothers of Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire to win the title with a sweep of four games from San Francisco.
“We all all throughout the match are deeply saddened by this loss,” said baseball commissioner Rob Manfred in a statement. “We will remember Cobra forever, especially since its name is soon to officially join the legends of our national hobby.”
Parker was a field of right -wing defender with seven stars and triple gold gloves, and when he retired after the 1991 season, he was one of the five players with at least 500 doubles, 300 circuits, 150 stolen bases and 2,700 strokes.
“I was a five tool player. I could do them all,” said Parker after his selection of rooms. “I have never trotted on the first goal. I don’t know if people have noticed it, but I ran hard with each game. ”
