Dave Parker dies: Why Pirates Hall of Famer was nicknamed ‘the Cobra' and who gave it to him
Dave Parker, Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates legend and Hall of Famer, has died, the two teams confirmed on Saturday. The hard-hitting outfielder was set to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame next month after being nominated in December last year. He was 74. Dave Parker, a member of the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates World Championship team, has died(AP)
No further details about Parker's death were immediately released. The Pirates, just before their game against the New York Mets on Saturday, held a moment of silence for Parker.
'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,' Pittsburgh paid tribute on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.
Parker was nicknamed 'The Cobra' during his 19-year MLB career due to his dynamic playing style and physical presence. Here's who coined 'The Cobra' nickname for Dave Parker
Parker, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound right fielder, was popular for his aggressive and intimidating presence on the field. His nickname 'The Cobra' was coined by Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster Bob Prince in the early 1970s, reflecting Parker's quick, powerful, and predatory movements, particularly in the outfield and at bat.
Dave Parker won back-to-back batting titles in 1977 and '78. He finished his career as a .290 hitter with 339 homers and 1,493 RBIs. He also played for Milwaukee, the California Angels, and Toronto. The 74-year-old was elected to the Hall of Fame by a special committee in December. The induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York, is set for July 27.
(With inputs from the Associated Press)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
6 hours ago
- NDTV
Major League Baseball Legend Dave Parker, Two-Time World Series Champ, Dies At 74
Dave Parker, a seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star and two-time World Series champion outfielder and designated hitter, died on Saturday. He was 74. His passing after a battle with Parkinson's disease was announced by MLB and the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team where he began his 19-year MLB career in 1973. Parker was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Classic Era Committee last December and will be inducted posthumously on July 27 in ceremonies at Cooperstown, New York. Parker batted .290 with 2,712 hits, 339 home runs and 1,493 runs batted in for his career playing for the Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels and Toronto Blue Jays. Parker spent 11 seasons with the Pirates, helping them to a World Series crown in 1979 and earning the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1978. He was a three-time Gold Glove award fielder and two-time NL batting champion while with Pittsburgh. He captured another World Series title with the Athletics in 1989, serving mainly as a designated hitter. Parker, nicknamed "The Cobra," grew up in Cincinnati near the Reds' ballpark and joined his hometown club as a free agent in 1984, spending four seasons with Cincinnati.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
McCutchen and Reynolds hit game-breaking doubles as Pirates pull away for 9-2 win over Mets
Jun 29, 2025 09:20 AM IST PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds hit consecutive two-run doubles during a six-run eighth inning Saturday as the Pittsburgh Pirates pulled away for a 9-2 victory over the New York Mets. HT Image The Pirates led 3-2 when Ke'Bryan Hayes singled in a run before McCutchen and Reynols broke open the game. Hayes also had an RBI single in a three-run second that put Pittsburgh ahead 3-1. The game was delayed for 89 minutes during the top of the second with the Mets leading 1-0. The Pirates lifted starter Bailey Falter after the wait. However, the Mets stuck with Paul Blackburn when play resumed and he gave up five straight singles to start the bottom of the second. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza removed Blackburn after the fifth hit. Mendoza didn't stick around much longer, as he was ejected in the fourth by plate umpire Roberto Ortiz for arguing balls and strikes. Braxton Ashcraft relieved Falter and allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings. The Pirates will try to sweep the three-game series Sunday. The Mets have lost 12 of their last 15 games. McCutchen, Hayes, Joey Bart and Nick Gonzales each had two hits for the Pirates. New York got two hits apiece from Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo. The Mets struck quickly when Francisco Lindor led off the game with a double and scored on Juan Soto's single. They cut their deficit to 3-2 on Nimmo's RBI single in the fifth. The Mets put the leadoff man on base in the eighth, trailing 3-2, but Caleb Ferguson got Tyrone Taylor to hit into a double play and Brett Baty to ground out. McCutchen played in his 2,200th career game and is the active MLB leader. The series concludes Sunday with Mets RHP Frankie Montas making his second start of the season, facing RHP Mike Burrows . MLB: /hub/MLB This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Shohei Ohtani throws fastest pitch of career at 101.7 mph in 3rd mound start for Dodgers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sbohei Ohtani threw the fastest pitch of his career at 101.7 mph and worked two efficient innings in his third mound start for the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing one hit and one walk against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday. HT Image It was the first start of more than one inning this season for the two-way superstar, who is working as an opener as he eases his way back into pitching. 'Getting Shohei through two innings throwing the ball the way he did is certainly a positive,' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. 'I didn't know it was 102 . I just saw 100, so, no, I didn't expect that. Now I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that he feels good coming out of today.' Ohtani went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts as the leadoff batter in the Dodgers' 9-5 loss. The three-time MVP did not pitch last season, his first with the Dodgers, while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He made 86 mound starts over five seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, going 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA. On Saturday, Ohtani threw first-pitch strikes to all seven batters he faced and finished with 27 pitches, 20 for strikes. 'I'm happy that I was able to attack the zone,' Ohtani said through an interpreter. 'There's some little things that I still need to work on, but overall I'm pretty happy.' He allowed a one-out single to Bobby Witt Jr. in the first and walked Maikel Garcia before throwing the 101.7 mph fastball on an 0-2 count to Vinnie Pasquantino, who grounded into a double play. 'It's something I don't think I would be able to do in a live BP setting,' Ohtani said. 'It's nice to be able to hit this velo and see how my body reacts.' Ohtani retired the side in order in the second, fanning rookie Jac Caglianone on an 89 mph slider. 'I think you can't take the competitor out of the player,' Roberts said. 'There's a little bit of stress and that's when you start to see 100s and trying to bully guys. No one knows himself better than he does and I thought he was in control. Still good to see triple digits.' The 30-year-old has 29 homers this season as Los Angeles' primary designated hitter. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
