06/28/2025
**Dave “The Cobra” Parker, Legendary Pirates Slugger, Passes Away at 74**
Two-time World Series champion and Hall of Famer remembered for fierce play, leadership, and enduring legacy.
---
Dave Parker, the towering outfielder known as “The Cobra,” died on June 28, 2025, in Pittsburgh. He was 74. The former Major League standout had battled Parkinson’s disease since 2012, and his passing comes just weeks before his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame this July .
Born June 9, 1951, in Grenada, Mississippi, and raised in Cincinnati, Parker debuted with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1973. Over a 19-year career, he became a force of nature: a seven-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner, and 1978 National League MVP. He claimed batting titles in 1977 and 1978, and helped lead Pittsburgh to a World Series title in 1979 — a triumph he followed up with another championship in 1989 with the Oakland A’s .
Parker finished his career with a .290 batting average, 339 home runs, and 1,493 RBIs. His prowess extended beyond offense; in the 1979 All-Star Game, Parker earned MVP honors after a series of remarkable assists, including one that cut down a runner at home plate .
Elected to the Hall of Fame by the Classic Baseball Era Committee in December 2024, Parker was set to officially join Cooperstown’s class of 2025 on July 27 . Hall chair Jane Forbes Clark praised his courage and leadership, saying his legacy would forever inspire fans .
Teammates and rivals alike recalled his imposing presence. Barry Larkin, former Cincinnati teammate, reminisced: “He was such a big dude at a time when there weren’t that many… dynamic defender, batting champion with power. Everything about him was impressive.” Community leaders in Cincinnati echoed those sentiments, noting his impact on and off the field .
Parker's fight with Parkinson’s never dimmed his connection to the game. He served as a coach and mentor, and his foundation raised funds for research. His passing leaves a void, but his fierce competitiveness and lasting spirit will live on in baseball lore.
---
**What are your favorite memories of “The Cobra”? Share them with us below 👇**