Dave Parker Biography

David Gene Parker, nicknamed the Cobra, was an American professional baseball player born on June 9, 1951, and passed away on June 28, 2025. He played in Major League Baseball as a right fielder from 1973 to 1991. A seven-time All-Star, Parker won two National League batting titles and was named the 1978 NL Most Valuable Player. Parker recorded 2,712 hits, 339 home runs, 1,493 runs batted in, and maintained a lifetime batting average of .290. He was recognized as a solid defensive outfielder during the first half of his career, known for a powerful arm, and won three straight Gold Glove Awards. Parker played a key role in the Pittsburgh Pirates' 1979 World Series championship team and was the only member to earn a United Press International all-star selection that season. At the close of the 1983 season, he became a free agent and signed with the Cincinnati Reds on December 7, 1983.