Dave Parker, former outfielder and newly elected Hall of Famer, has passed away at the age of 74
Former major league outfielder Dave Parker, who was elected to the Hall of Fame this past winter, has passed away, it has been announced. Parker was 74.
Parker had a dominant five year stretch from 1975-79 when he was one of the best players in baseball, putting up 31.1 bWAR for the Pittsburgh Pirates in that stretch while slashing .321/.377/.532, stealing 84 bases, and using one of the best right field arms in baseball to terrorize baserunners. He won three Gold Gloves in that stretch, won the MVP in 1978, finished third in the MVP voting in 1975 and 1977, and was a key part of the We Are Family Pirates championship team in 1979.
Parker’s career went into decline for a period after 1979, as drug issues, which became public in the Pittsburgh drug trials of 1985, impacted his performance. He overcame his substance abuse issues and rebounded with a strong season in 1985 for the Cincinnati Reds, finishing second in the MVP voting.
Parker was elected to the Hall of Fame this past winter by the Classic Baseball Era Committee. He will be inducted in the Hall on July 27, 2025.