Dave Parker, the legendary outfielder known as “The Cobra,” has died at 74 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
At a Glance
- He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Classic Era Committee in December 2024.
- He won two World Series titles (1979 Pirates, 1989 Athletics).
- Parker earned the NL MVP award in 1978 and won consecutive batting titles in 1977 and 1978.
- He finished his career with a .290 batting average, 339 home runs, and 1,493 RBIs.
- His induction ceremony was scheduled for July 27, just weeks after his death.
Cobra’s Career: From Dynamo to Diamond Legacy
Dave Parker emerged as a force of nature, dominating Major League Baseball from his debut in 1973 to his retirement in 1991. At 6‑foot‑5, he was a rare blend of elite power and speed, capturing seven All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves, and three Silver Sluggers over a storied 19-season career (AP News).
His crowning achievements came in the late 1970s with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he secured consecutive batting titles in 1977 and 1978, earned NL MVP honors in 1978, and led the team to the 1979 World Series championship. A decade later, Parker added a second ring with the Oakland Athletics in 1989, cementing his status as a postseason standout.
Watch a report: Dave Parker, “The Cobra,” passes away weeks before Hall of Fame induction.
Final Chapter: Parkinson’s and the Road to Cooperstown
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012, Parker endured a 13-year battle with the degenerative illness, ultimately succumbing on June 28, 2025 — just weeks before his scheduled Hall of Fame induction on July 27. The disease had slowed the Cobra’s step but never dimmed his larger-than-life persona.
The Baseball Hall of Fame confirmed that Parker’s posthumous induction will proceed as planned, marking a bittersweet celebration of one of the game’s most charismatic and impactful players.
Remembering the Real “Cobra”
Beyond the numbers, Parker was a cultural trailblazer. He became one of the earliest athletes to sport an earring, signed the first million-dollar baseball deal, and delivered unforgettable quips like, “I never trotted to first base.” Despite controversies such as the 1985 Pittsburgh drug trials, he remained unapologetically authentic.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred described him as a poignant embodiment of leadership and courage, while the Pirates paid tribute with a moment of silence before their next home game.
Parker’s induction will now serve not just as a tribute to his skill, but as a monument to his relentless fight — on the field and against a disease that couldn’t silence his legend.
