Dave “The Cobra” Parker, the Cincinnati native and one of the most feared hitters of his generation, has died of complications following a long illness, the Cincinnati Reds announced Saturday.
He was 74.
Parker, a Courter Tech grad who grew up near Crosley Field, was elected in December to the Baseball Hall of Fame for a 19-year career, mostly with the Pittsburgh Pirates, that included two batting titles, a 1978 MVP award and 339 home runs.
He earned seven All-Star selections, including two during his four seasons with his hometown Reds.
“I was the best player they had,” he said during a conference call with media after his Hall election, which came 33 years after his final game and 13 years after his final year on the baseball writers Hall of Fame ballot.
“I cried,” he said of finally getting the call. “It only took a few minutes because I don’t cry.”
His death comes four weeks before he was to be inducted at Cooperstown.
Parker was one of the most feared hitters of his generation and a star member of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1979 “We Are Family” World Series champion, before joining his hometown Reds as a free agent in 1984.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of Dave Parker,” said Bob Castellini, Reds principal owner and managing partner, in a statement released by the team Saturday. “Dave was a towering figure on the field, in the clubhouse, and in the Cincinnati community where his baseball journey began, playing on the fields near his home and going to games at Crosley Field.
“Dave’s impact on the game and on this franchise will never be forgotten. We are extremely proud he wore a Reds uniform as part of his Hall of Fame career. Our thoughts are with his family and all who loved him.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati legend Dave ‘The Cobra’ Parker, dead at 74, was one of feared hitters of a generation
Reporting by Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
