Print this page

20. Dave Parker

  • Published in Baseball
  • Read 33499 times
  • Rate this item
    (11 votes)
20.  Dave Parker
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: June 9, 1951 in Grenada, MS USA
  • Weight: 230 lbs.
  • Height: 6'5"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: July 12, 1973
  • Final Game: October 02, 1991
  • TSN All-Star - 1975
  • Gold Glove - 1977
  • TSN All-Star - 1977
  • Gold Glove - 1978
  • Most Valuable Player - 1978
  • TSN All-Star - 1978
  • TSN Player of the Year - 1978
  • All-Star Game MVP - 1979
  • Gold Glove - 1979
  • Silver Slugger - 1985
  • TSN All-Star - 1985
  • Silver Slugger - 1986
  • TSN All-Star - 1986
  • Silver Slugger - 1990
  • TSN All-Star - 1990
  • MVP - 1975
  • MVP - 1976
  • MVP - 1977
  • MVP - 1978
  • MVP - 1979
  • MVP - 1985
  • MVP - 1986
  • MVP - 1989
  • MVP - 1990
 
ABRHHRRBISBAVG
18716254454246782986308 0.290
 

They called Dave Parker the “Cobra” and the nickname fit.  He could strike with his bat, his legs and his throwing arm and during the last half of the 1970’s he could arguably make a claim as the best player in the league; in fact he did make that claim.

The stats agree with Mr. Parker.  He was the most dangerous player at the plate if he wasn’t aiming for the fences he would calmly stroke a base hit and get on base.  Parker had a beast of an arm from the outfield and was as good defensively as he was with the bat.  Parker was so good and beloved in Pittsburgh that he was able to make fans forget that Roberto Clemente was not in the field anymore.  That in itself is one impressive feat.

Sadly for Parker, cocaine is a hell of a drug.  His increasing weight, numerous injuries and drug problems made him the shell of the player he was in the early 80’s and the love he had in Pittsburgh went away.  Parker did resurrect his career in Cincinnati and posted good numbers but his lost years in Pittsburgh may have prevented him from hitting the 3,000 hit plateau.

Make no mistake about how good Dave Parker was.  Sure, he had problems in the early 80’s but he didn’t go away and became a star again mid way through the decade.  With Jim Rice getting in, a look at the similar numbers of Dave Parker may be in order.  Chances are that it will happen but from a Veteran’s Committee down the road.

Should Dave Parker be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 79.5%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 10.5%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 6.7%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 3.3%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Grenada, Mississippi, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Wednesday, 01 January 1997
  • Position: Outfield
  • Played For: California Angels, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays
  • Major Accolades and Awards: World Series Rings (2) (Pittsburgh Pirates 1979 & Oakland Athletics 1990)
    MVP (1) (NL) (1978)
    All-Star (7) (1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1986 & 1990)
    Silver Slugger (3) (NL) (2) (1985 & 1986) (AL) (1) (1990)
    Gold Gloves (3) (NL) (1977, 1978 & 1979)
    Edgar Martinez Award (AL) (2) (1989 & 1990)
    All-Star Game MVP (1) (1979)
    Highest bWAR for Position Players (1) (NL) (1978)
    Highest Offensive bWAR (1) (NL) (1978)
    Highest Batting Average (2) (NL) (1977 & 1978)
    Highest Slugging Percentage (2) (NL) (1975 & 1978)
    Highest OPS (1) (NL) (1978)
    Highest OPS+ (1) (NL) (1978)
    Most Hits (1) (NL) (1977)
    Most Total Bases (3) (NL) (1978, 1985 & 1986)
    Most Doubles (2) (NL) (1977 & 1985)
    Most RBI (1) (NL) (1985)
    Most Extra Base Hits (2) (NL) (1979 & 1985)
    Most Intentional Walks (2) (NL) (1978 & 1985)
    Most Sacrifice Flies (2) (NL) (1979) (AL) (1990)
    Highest Win Probability Added (1) (NL) (1978)
    Highest Championship Win Probability Added (1) (NL) (1979)
    Most Total Zone Runs (1) (NL) (1977)
    Most Outs Made (1) (NL) (1986)
    Most Putouts by a Rightfielder (4) (NL) (1975, 1976, 1977 & 1983)
    Most Assists by a Rightfielder (1) (NL) (1977)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Rightfielder (2) (NL) (1977 & 1987)
    Most Putouts by an Outfielder (1) (NL) (1977)
    Most Assists by an Outfielder (1) (NL) (1977)
    Most Double Plays Turned by an Outfielder (1) (NL) (1977)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a RIghtfielder (2) (NL) (1975 & 1977)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Rightfielder (3) (1975, 1976 & 1977)
    Most Total Zone Runs by an Outfielder (1) (1979)



  • Other Points of Note: Other Top Ten MVP Finishes: (Won the 1978 NL MVP)
    (NL: 1975, 3rd), (NL: 1977, 3rd), (NL: 1979, 10th), (NL: 1985, 2nd) & (NL: 1986, 5th)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Position Players)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Offensive bWAR)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Defensive bWAR)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Batting Average)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (On Base Percentage)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Slugging Percentage)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (OPS)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (OPS+)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Scored)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Most Hits)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Total Bases)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Triples)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Home Runs)
    9 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Batted In)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Singles)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Extra Base Hits)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Power-Speed #)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Total Zone Runs)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 14.   Putouts by a Rightfielder: 3,653
    18.   Range Factor per Game by a Rightfielder: 2.10
    25.   Assists by a Rightfielder: 135
    35.   Intentional Walks: 170
    44.   Double Plays Turned by a Rightfielder: 27
    45.   Doubles: 526
    54.   Outs Made: 7,055
    55.   At Bats: 9,358
    56.   Total Bases: 4,405
    56.   Extra Base Hits: 940
    58.   Runs Batted In: 1,493
    67.   Hits: 2,712
    66.   Championship Win Probability Added: 47.8
    70.   Games Played: 2,466
    75.   Sacrifice Flies: 86
    77.   Plate Appearances: 10,184
    85.   Power-Speed #: 211.8
    93.   Putouts by an Outfielder: 3,791
    97.   Singles: 1,772
    97.   Win Probability Added: 36.1
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 1997: 17.5
    1998: 24.5
    1999: 16.1
    2000: 20.8
    2001: 16.3
    2002: 14.0
    2003: 10.3
    2004: 10.5
    2005: 12.6
    2006: 14.6
    2007: 11.4
    2008: 15.1
    2009: 15.0
    2010: 15.2
    2011: 15.3
  • Should be Inducted As A: Pittsburgh Pirate

Should Dave Parker be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 79.5%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 10.5%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 6.7%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 3.3%

Comments powered by CComment