RIP The Cobra

[jeemie]

Dave Parker, dead at age 74.

The last of the great Pirate teams slowly dying off.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/456 ... -star-dies

[swissvale72]

Still remember him stumbling but making the catch to end the orioles 8th inning threat in game 7 of '79 series.

[MJG75]

So sad to hear this news today. Parker was a key cog to that 1979 World Series team. At least he got to hear the news before passing even though he didn't get his chance to be honored at the HOF ceremony. I was concerned when I saw his interview after the HOF announcement, he did not appear to be in good health and seemed to have slipped from last time I heard him speak a couple years ago.


So sad to see the loss of one of our last truly great Pirate players from the last truly great Pirate team.

[955876]

Yea RIP DP.

Enjoyed him when he played for my A’s.

[BouldernBun]

Very sad to hear this. Another Pirate favorite from yesteryear gone. Thank you for the memories Cobra.

[jeemie]

Still remember him stumbling but making the catch to end the orioles 8th inning threat in game 7 of '79 series.

I remember gunning down Jim Rice at 3rd and Al Downing at the plate in the 1979 All Star Game.

[CoolShades]

A sad day.

Dave Parker was one of my all-time favorites. Always hustled down the first base line. A cannon for an arm. Could do it all. I used to have a foul ball hit by the Cobra on my shelf, but I went to college and my little brother borrowed it for a neighborhood game and it was lost. Forgot all about that until today, that little bastard.

I’m glad he got into the HOF. He deserved it.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

Closest comparison in terms of narrative is Steve Young. Replaced a legend and did a HOF job of it if not equal.

[MJG75]

Still remember him stumbling but making the catch to end the orioles 8th inning threat in game 7 of '79 series.

I remember gunning down Jim Rice at 3rd and Al Downing at the plate in the 1979 All Star Game.

I recall all of those plays. The near stumble in the 8th inning made my heart stick in my throat, almost on par with Bettis' fumble in 2005. But Dave held up and made the catch. We were blessed from 1955 to 1983 with two Right fielders with a cannon for an arm. The Cobra's 26 OF assists in 1977 are second most to The Great One's 27 assists in 1961.

Man it's tough to lose these men. God bless the loved ones of big Dave.

[MJG75]

A sad day.

Dave Parker was one of my all-time favorites. Always hustled down the first base line. A cannon for an arm. Could do it all. I used to have a foul ball hit by the Cobra on my shelf, but I went to college and my little brother borrowed it for a neighborhood game and it was lost. Forgot all about that until today, that little bastard.

I’m glad he got into the HOF. He deserved it.

He definitely did. His arm, his hustle, his bat. He was feared around the league and for good reason. I also love that he always ran full speed to first base no matter where the ball was hit or how far.

[Gonzo]

Still remember him stumbling but making the catch to end the orioles 8th inning threat in game 7 of '79 series.

I remember gunning down Jim Rice at 3rd and Al Downing at the plate in the 1979 All Star Game.

That is my main lasting memory of him as well

[jeemie]

Still remember him stumbling but making the catch to end the orioles 8th inning threat in game 7 of '79 series.

I remember gunning down Jim Rice at 3rd and Al Downing at the plate in the 1979 All Star Game.

I recall all of those plays. The near stumble in the 8th inning made my heart stick in my throat, almost on par with Bettis' fumble in 2005. But Dave held up and made the catch. We were blessed from 1955 to 1983 with two Right fielders with a cannon for an arm. The Cobra's 26 OF assists in 1977 are second most to The Great One's 27 assists in 1961.

Man it's tough to lose these men. God bless the loved ones of big Dave.

What some people forget is on the play where he gunned down Rice, he lost track of the ball and it dropped in for a hit, which is why he had to make the play in the first place.

But yes when he stumbled in the 8th inning of Game 7, my heart did sink. It was only 2-1 Pirates at that point, and if that ball drops, all three runs score and the Orioles lead at least 4-2 going into the 9th. And Murray finally got hold of one, so he had to think finally!

Yeah we scored two insurance runs in the 9th, but who knows if we do if we are coming from behind rather than playing with a lead?

Fortunately, Parker recovered and made the catch, so we didn't have to find out.

[jeemie]

Here's the play, by the way.

Stick around for Parker's, Garner's and Tekulve's commentary right after.

https://youtu.be/xiNn3Gi7sL8?t=6831

[gpclay]

Thanks for posting that - I ended up watching the whole damned game! Flashing back to my 12-year-old self and remembering how great those 1970s Buccos were. Sad that my kids grew up rooting for the Phillies (we live in Central PA) even though they desperately wanted to like the Pirates and loved going to PNC Park.

RIP Cobra - glad you made it into the Hall.

[MJG75]

Here's the play, by the way.

Stick around for Parker's, Garner's and Tekulve's commentary right after.

https://youtu.be/xiNn3Gi7sL8?t=6831

Great stuff thanks, Jeemie.

[MJG75]

https://www.mlb.com/news/dave-parker-20 ... -induction