Dave Parker, a legendary former MLB outfielder and newly elected Hall of Famer, has passed away at the age of 74, according to an official announcement.
Parker was a dominant force in Major League Baseball from 1975 to 1979, compiling an impressive 31.1 WAR while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. During that time, he posted a stellar .321/.377/.532 batting line, stole 84 bases, and showcased a cannon of an arm in right field that often deterred baserunners. He won three Gold Gloves, was named National League MVP in 1978, and earned top-three MVP finishes in 1975 and 1977. Parker was also a central figure on the 1979 World Series-winning “We Are Family” Pirates squad.
Following his peak years, Parker’s career saw a downturn, in part due to drug issues that were later revealed in the 1985 Pittsburgh drug trials. Despite these struggles, he made a strong comeback in 1985 with the Cincinnati Reds, finishing second in MVP voting that year.
Earlier this year, Parker was honored by the Classic Baseball Era Committee with induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He was scheduled to be officially enshrined on July 27, 2025.
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