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MLB World Mourns Death of Pirates Hall of Famer Dave Parker
National Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Dave Parker died at age 74 on Saturday, leaving the baseball world mourning for "the Cobra." Parker had a long battle with Parkinsons.
Throughout Parker's 19-year MLB career, he was most known for his 11 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1978 with the Pirates, he was named the National League's MVP after combining a .334/.394/.585 slash line with 30 home runs and 117 RBIs.
Parker was already enshrined in the inaugural Pirates Hall of Fame class in 2022, and he was set to be honored at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown next month after being voted in by the Classic Baseball Era Committee back in December.
Tributes poured out for Parker on Saturday shortly after the Pirates revealed the sad news. The Pirates specifically spoke about Parker's legacy ahead of Saturday's game vs. the New York Mets. PNC Park held a moment of silence for their famed star.
Remembering the Cobra. pic.twitter.com/JyIWjJfpEV
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 28, 2025
The Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds, where Parker spent four seasons after his tenure with the Pirates, and the Athletics, where Parker spent two seasons, all wrote memorials for Parker on social media.
We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Dave Parker.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 28, 2025
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… pic.twitter.com/UuikGxw6dI
The Reds are heartbroken to learn of the passing of baseball legend Dave Parker. pic.twitter.com/eh6OeJc6VZ
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 28, 2025
We are heartbroken by the passing of Dave Parker. The Hall of Famer spent two seasons with the Green & Gold and was a key member of the 1989 World Series Championship team.
— Athletics (@Athletics) June 28, 2025
We send our condolences to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/tvCC5FmRC2
Here's a look at how the rest of the baseball world honored Parker on Saturday.
The apex of baseball cool. RIP, Cobra. pic.twitter.com/oUDLVSOCPA
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 28, 2025
We are deeply saddened by the passing of 2025 Hall of Fame electee Dave Parker.
— MLB (@MLB) June 28, 2025
“The Cobra” was one of the fiercest hitters of his generation. The two-time batting champion and 1978 NL MVP won two World Series rings, one with the Pirates in 1979 and one with the A’s in 1989.
A… pic.twitter.com/i1EMrjDvkM
RIP Dave Parker the Cobra! One of the greatest to ever do it. Loved watching you as a kid. I will always remember that first line drive ground ball you hit me in the show right off my chest. You said welcome to the show kid. That Big smile and the finger point trot.#Legendary
— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) June 28, 2025
Do yourself a favor and watch these Dave Parker highlights a few times tonight. In an All-Star Game. An absolute rocket for an arm. Incredible talent. pic.twitter.com/Ff2NA6KEFv
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) June 28, 2025
RIP to Cincinnati's own Dave Parker.
— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) June 28, 2025
Parker played for the Reds from 1984-1987. He was an All-Star with the Reds twice, and finished 2nd in NL MVP voting in 1985 and 5th in 1986. pic.twitter.com/Tv56RHRYct
Rest in Peace to not only an amazing baseball player that could do it all but was also an outstanding person. I met Dave early in my writing career when I covered the Angels. He was super welcoming & helpful. Also one of the funniest people I ever met. Rest in Peace to The Cobra! https://t.co/JhLMu1CbQx
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) June 28, 2025
Gary Cohen and Ron Darling offer a tribute to Dave Parker, who passed away today at the age of 74 pic.twitter.com/4PC2oNnDXY
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 28, 2025
The apex of baseball cool. RIP, Cobra. pic.twitter.com/oUDLVSOCPA
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 28, 2025
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Madison Williams is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where she specializes in tennis but covers a wide range of sports from a national perspective. Before joining SI in 2022, Williams worked at The Sporting News. Having graduated from Augustana College, she completed a master’s in sports media at Northwestern University. She is a dog mom and an avid reader.