Bears News: Dave Parker voted into National Baseball Hall of Fame |
The National Baseball Hall of Fame today announced that former Pirates outfielder Dave Parker has been voted into the Hall of Fame. The announcement was made by Josh Rawitch, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX.
Parker, who spent 11 of his 19 Major League seasons in a Pittsburgh uniform, will be the 45th former player, manager or executive in the Hall of Fame who spent some of their professional careers with the Pirates, including 2013 Pre-Integration Era inductee Deacon White, who played for the Pittsburgh Alleghenys in 1889. He will be the 14th person to enter the Hall who spent the majority of their career with the Pirates, including Jake Beckley, Max Carey, Fred Clarke, Roberto Clemente, owner Barney Dreyfuss, Ralph Kiner, Bill Mazeroski, Willie Stargell, Pie Traynor, Arky Vaughan, Honus Wagner, Lloyd Waner and Paul Waner. Parker compiled a .290 average over 19 Major League seasons with six teams, including 11 seasons in a Pittsburgh uniform from 1973-1983. In his big league career, he produced 339 home runs, 1,493 RBI and won back-to-back batting titles in 1977 and 1978. Over a five-year span from 1975-1979, Parker’s 345 extra-base hits trailed only Hall of Famers Jim Rice and Mike Schmidt. His 942 hits in that span ranked sixth behind Pete Rose, Steve Garvey, Rice, Rod Carew and George Brett while his .321 batting average ranked second only to Carew. In addition, Parker led the Majors with 72 outfield assists during the five-year period. Parker was voted the 1978 National League Most Valuable Player after leading the league with a .334 average in addition to hitting 30 home runs and collecting 117 RBI. He also led the N.L. with a .338 average, 215 hits and 44 doubles in 1977. A seven-time All-Star, Parker was named MVP of the 1979 Midsummer Classic. He also captured three Gold Glove Awards for his fielding excellence during his stellar career. The official induction ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 27, 2025 in Cooperstown, NY.
