Dave Parker will be remembered as the rookie when Robert Clemente died in a plane crash in 1973. He might not have been the best starting player before, but he proved that he was an All-Star caliber player in the following years.

Pittsburgh Pirates fans could not believe that Parker's passing at 74 would mean that he wouldn't experience attending the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction in person.

Cause of Death Linked to Parkinson's Disease

Pittsburgh Icon Dave Parker Passes Away Weeks Before Hall of Pittsburgh Icon Dave Parker Passes Away Weeks Before Hall of
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Regarded by fans as "The Cobra," Parker was a dominant figure in Major League Baseball in the 1970s and '80s—a seven-time All-Star, National League MVP, World Series champion, and one of the most intimidating hitters of his generation.

While the official cause of death is not yet established, the National Baseball Hall of Fame reported that Parker passed away following a long struggle with Parkinson's disease, the illness he publicly announced in 2019, Men's Journal reported. The symptoms of the disease started in 2012 and consisted of tremors, balance problems, and mobility issues.

Parker once explained his battle with the disease in characteristic grit:

"It's like a 3-2 count in the ninth inning, and you need that run. I've always been the man, and I'm going to still be the man."

Pirates Say Goodbye to a Legend

In a touching press release, the Pittsburgh Pirates paid tribute to Parker's legacy:

Chairman Bob Nutting further said that Dave had a large personality, and even then, his death left an even larger space for every MLB fan who loves him.

Parker was the focal point of the Pirates' 1979 World Series championship and was recently inducted as part of the first class of the Pirates Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Induction Will Proceed in His Honor

In December 2024, a special committee voted Parker into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, a time that gave pleasure to fans who long believed he was snubbed.

Jane Forbes Clark, Hall of Fame Chairman, declared:

"We join the baseball family in remembering Dave Parker. His legacy will be one of courage and leadership, matched only by his outstanding accomplishments on the field."

The induction ceremony will be held in July in Cooperstown. It will become a posthumous honor for a player who reached beyond his generation.