MLB Hall-of-Famer Dave Parker Dies at 74: Inside ‘The Cobra’s’ Unmatched Legacy

PITTSBURGH—Baseball is mourning the loss of Dave “The Cobra” Parker, the fearsome right fielder whose thunderous bat and cannon arm made him a 1970s icon for the Pittsburgh Pirates and a soon-to-be member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Parker died on June 30 at age 74 after a decade-long battle with Parkinson’s disease, leaving fans to reconcile grief with anticipation of his scheduled induction in Cooperstown on July 27, 2025. Parker’s death comes less than seven months after the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee elected him to the Hall, finally clearing the path for an honor many observers felt was overdue. His plaque will be presented posthumously, but family members have confirmed they will attend the ceremony, turning the weekend into both a celebration and a tribute. The Cincinnati native burst onto the scene with Pittsburgh in 1973 and quickly became one of the game’s most complete players. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Parker blended raw power with uncommon speed, winning back-to-back National League batting titles in 1977 (.338) and 1978 (.334) and earning the 1978 NL MVP Award. Over a 19-year career with the Pirates, Reds, A’s, Brewers, Angels and Blue Jays, he piled up 2,712 hits, 339 home runs and 1,493 RBIs. Yet Parker’s legacy extends beyond the stat sheet. His rocket throw from right field to cut down Brian Downing at home plate in the 1979 All-Star Game remains one of the most replayed highlights in Midsummer Classic history, a moment often cited as a key piece of his Hall résumé. He later served as a clubhouse cornerstone for the 1989 Oakland Athletics championship team, mentoring a young roster that included future Hall of Famers Rickey Henderson and Dennis Eckersley. Off the field, Parker was a proud standard-bearer for Black ballplayers of his era. He wore jewelry, sported the first $1 million-per-year contract in MLB history, and never shied from speaking his mind—attributes that inspired teammates and irked traditionalists in equal measure. “Dave showed us we didn’t have to dim our light to fit in,” Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. said in a statement released Monday. “He played with style and substance, and the game is better for it.” Parker revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2012 and spent the last decade raising money for research through the Dave Parker 39 Foundation. Despite declining mobility—he often used a wheelchair in recent years—he attended Pirates alumni events whenever possible, greeting fans with the same booming laugh that once echoed through Three Rivers Stadium. With the Hall of Fame festivities now less than two weeks away, Cooperstown officials say they are adjusting the program to feature an extended video tribute and remarks from Parker’s widow, Kellye, and former teammates Willie Stargell Jr. and Barry Larkin. The Pirates will also wear a “Cobra 39” patch for the remainder of the 2025 season, beginning Friday night against the Cardinals at PNC Park. SEO takeaway: As search interest for “Dave Parker Hall of Fame 2025,” “Dave Parker death,” and “Pittsburgh Pirates legend” surges, fans are looking for details on his career milestones, funeral arrangements and how his induction will proceed. Bookmark this page for updates from Cooperstown, reaction from MLB greats, highlights of Parker’s best moments and ways to support Parkinson’s research in his honor.