Dave Parker, Baseball Hall of Famer Nicknamed 'The Cobra', Dies at 74

Published: June 28, 2025

Baseball legend Dave Parker, affectionately known as "The Cobra", has passed away at the age of 74. The news was announced by his former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, before their game against the New York Mets on Saturday, June 28.

The Pirates held a moment of silence to honor Parker's memory, and fans were informed of his passing through a social media post. The statement read, "We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Dave Parker... A legendary Pirate, Parker spent 11 years in a Pirates uniform, winning 2 batting titles, an MVP award, and a World Series Championship in 1979."

Parker's impressive career spanned 19 seasons, with 11 of those years spent with the Pirates. He was a seven-time All-Star, won three Gold Gloves, and had a batting average of .290. Parker was known for his speed and agility, earning him the nickname "The Cobra".

In a 2019 interview with The Athletic, Parker said, "I could do it all... I vocalized quite a bit. People tell me that I 'played angry.' That's what I did, and it worked for me. But I always played hard, and I respected my fellow man. I did everything on the field that I could."

Parker's journey to baseball greatness was not always clear-cut. He initially played football in high school but gave it up due to a knee injury. He was drafted by the Pirates in 1970 and went on to establish himself as a formidable right outfielder.

Parker later played for the Cincinnati Reds and other teams before retiring in 1991. He went on to coach for the Los Angeles Angels and St. Louis Cardinals and served as a special instructor for the Pirates.

In 2013, Parker revealed that he was battling Parkinson's disease. He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in December 2024 and was set to be inducted posthumously on July 27.

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Rest in peace, Dave Parker. Your legacy will be remembered for generations to come.