Just now:The Cobra’ Bites Final Time: Baseball Great Dave Parker Dies at the age of 74 this year 2025….
Baseball mourns today with the loss of David Gene “Dave” Parker, the towering outfielder whose talent, flair, and controversy etched him deeply into the sport’s lore. Parker, the 1978 National League MVP and two-time World Series champion, passed away on June 28, 2025, in Cincinnati, at age 74, following complications from Parkinson’s disease .
A Career Forged in Pittsburgh Glory
Born in Grenada, Mississippi, on June 9, 1951, Parker rose to prominence in Cincinnati before the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the 14th round of the 1970 MLB draft . After debuting on July 12, 1973—less than a year after Roberto Clemente’s death—Parker quickly seized stardom with his combination of imposing size, raw power, and elite defensive skills .
Nicknamed “The Cobra” for his explosive play, Parker claimed back-to-back National League batting titles in 1977 and 1978. His 1978 season was nothing short of spectacular: a .334 batting average, 30 home runs, 117 RBIs, and the NL MVP award . That same year, he shattered expectations with a record-breaking contract—reportedly making him the first MLB player with a $1 million annual salary .
Defensively, Parker was equally formidable—claiming Gold Gloves from 1977 to 1979, and earning All-Star Game MVP honors in 1979 when he famously gunned down two baserunners with rocket throws . He was a cornerstone of the “We Are Family” Pirates team that captured the 1979 World Series.
Parker remained a Pirate through 1983, compiling a career .290 average, 339 home runs, 1,493 RBIs, seven All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers .
A Flourishing Yet Complex Later Career
After Pittsburgh, Parker joined his hometown Reds (1984–87), where he rejuvenated his bat, nearly claiming another MVP award in 1986. He next moved to the Oakland Athletics, where he earned a second World Series ring in 1989, showcasing leadership for rising stars like Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire .
In his final seasons (1990–91), he had stints with the Brewers, Angels, and Blue Jays—still earning an All-Star nod in 1990 and Silver Sluggers in ’85, ’86, and ’90 . Ultimately, he retired in October 1991 after a 19-year run across six teams.
A Hall of Fame Journey Cut Short
Though his stats and impact were undeniable, Parker’s life off the field—especially his admitted cocaine use during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s—clouded his legacy. Disqualified by voters during his 15 years on the Baseball Writers’ ballot, he peaked at only 24.5% support .
Redemption came in December 2024 when the Classic Baseball Era Committee elected him to the Hall of Fame by a commanding 87.5% vote . Parker celebrated the moment, telling MLB Network “I’ve been holding this speech in for 15 years” . Tragedy struck, however, when Parker died on June 28, 2025—just 29 days before his scheduled induction ceremony on July 27 in Cooperstown .
A Decade of Battling Parkinson’s
In 2012, Parker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Over the ensuing decade, the diagnosis progressively eroded his strength, eventually confining him to a wheelchair. Yet he remained active, co-founding the Dave Parker 39 Foundation with his wife Kellye to raise awareness and funds aimed at combating the disease .
Legacy, Tributes, and Final Farewells
Across the baseball world, tributes poured in:
Pirates Chair Bob Nutting said, “We are heartbroken… ‘The Cobra’ was one of the most dominating and intimidating players…” .
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred emphasized Parker’s dual legacy of talent and showmanship, stating “We will remember the Cobra forever…” .
Hall of Fame Chairman Jane Forbes Clark noted the loss and pledged to honor him at Cooperstown in July .
Teammates from Pittsburgh to Oakland—former MVPs, All-Stars, and even Hall of Famers—praised Parker for his intensity, leadership, and dramatic flair. Dennis Eckersley, Tony La Russa, and Barry Larkin each shared fond memories of his mentoring and larger-than-life presence .
Remembering ‘The Cobra’
Dave Parker’s life was a mosaic of dynamism and challenge: a prodigious athlete whose swagger and flamboyance pushed boundaries in a changing MLB. Though his career faced turbulence, his passion remained unwavering—batting, fielding, and speaking up with poetic bravado. He once proclaimed, “I was a five-tool player. I could do them all… I never trotted to first base”—words that spoke volumes of a competitor whose love for the game never waned .
His accident-shortened Hall of Fame journey adds a poignant chapter to his story: a final chapter that will be written by those who take the podium in his place. On July 27, Cooperstown will witness the posthumous induction of Dave Parker—securing his rightful place among baseball’s legends.
Final Numbers & Facts
Batting average: .290
Hits: 2,712 • Home runs: 339 • RBIs: 1,493
All-Star selections: 7 • Gold Gloves: 3 • Silver Sluggers: 3
Batting titles: ’77, ’78 • MVP: 1978 • World Series championships: 1979, 1989
Hall of Fame election: 87.5% via Classic Era Committee, December 8, 2024
Passed away: June 28, 2025, age 74, complications from Parkinson’s
Dave Parker was more than a slugger: he was a showman, a leader, a champion, and a fighter in every sense. As Cooperstown readies its tribute in July, baseball will once again come together—not just to honor his achievements, but to remember the swagger, the strength, and the soul of “The Cobra.