Overview

• David Parker II delivered a 10-minute induction speech in Cooperstown on July 27, reading a poem his father wrote during his final weeks.
• Parker died on June 28 at age 74 after battling Parkinson’s disease and was elected by the Classic Era Committee in December as a posthumous inductee.
• His 19-season career featured the 1978 National League MVP award, World Series titles with the Pirates in 1971 and 1979, and totals of 2,712 hits and 339 home runs.
• At PNC Park, the Pirates are honoring Parker with “Cobra” uniform patches for the remainder of the season and a fan tribute wall for messages.
• Teammates and fellow Hall of Famers such as Bert Blyleven recalled Parker as a clubhouse leader whose fierce competitiveness epitomized 1970s baseball.