Dave Parker, the seven-time All-Star and former National League MVP who was recently elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame, has passed away. He was 74.

The Pittsburgh Pirates confirmed Parker’s passing in an X(formerly Twitter) post on Saturday (June 28). 

“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. The “Cobra” was part of the inaugural Pirates Hall of Fame class in 2022 and will be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown next month.”

"Dave Parker was a gifted all-around player whose numerous accomplishments led to his upcoming induction in Cooperstown this summer," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "He was a World Series Champion with the 1979 Pirates and the 1989 Athletics, a beloved All-Star Red in his hometown of Cincinnati, and an All-Star in Milwaukee. Dave was also a three-time Gold Glover on the strength of his famous arm, a two-time batting champion, and the winner of the inaugural Home Run Derby in 1985."  

"All of us throughout the game are deeply saddened by this loss. We will remember the Cobra forever, especially as his name soon officially joins the legends of our National Pastime,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my sympathy to Dave's family and his fans across the game."

During their home game against the New York Mets on Saturday, June 28, the Pirates paid tribute to Parker.

Born on June 9, 1951, in Grenada, Mississippi, Parker grew up in Cincinnati and was a three-sport star at Courter Tech High School.

Nicknamed "The Cobra" because he stood  6-foot-5 and weighed 230 pounds, Parker was drafted by the Pirates in the 14th round of the 1970 MLB Draft. He would go on to play 19 seasons, spending 11 with the Pirates.

Parker won the NL batting titles in 1977 and 1978. The same year,  he was named National League MVP and helped lead the Pirates to a World Series victory the following season.

In 1983, Parker signed with the Cincinnati Reds to play for his hometown. Spending four seasons with the team, he led the NL with 125 RBIs and was second in MVP voting in 1985.

Playing DH for the Oakland A’s, Parker homered in the 1989 World Series opener on their way to a four-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants.

In 1991, he retired after playing his final season with the Toronto Blue Jays. 

During his MLB career, Parker batted .290/.339/.471 with 2,712 hits, 339 home runs, 526 doubles, 1,493 RBI, and 154 stolen bases.

Along with his hitting prowess, he had a cannon for an arm and won three Gold Glove awards.

 "I was a five-tool player. I could do them all," Parker said. "I never trotted to first base. I don't know if people noticed that, but I ran hard on every play."

In 2012, Parker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Along with his wife, he started the Dave Parker 39 Foundation (his jersey number) to raise funds for research into the disease.

“I’m a battler,” Parker said in 2018.

In December, it was announced that Parker would be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by a special committee in December. Upon hearing the news, Parker admitted that he was overcome with emotion and reduced to tears.

"Yeah, I cried," Parker said after receiving the news. "It only took a few minutes, because I don't cry."

The induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York, is scheduled for July 27.

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