Dave Parker (2025)

Pittsburgh Pirates

Parker played in the minor leagues from 1970 through 1973. He joined the Pirates for 54 games in 1973. He had 40 hits and a .288 batting average. The following season, he played in 73 games and he had 62 hits and a .282 batting average. In the 1974 postseason, he had 8 at-bats in 3 games and he had 1 hit.

In 1975, his first full season with the Pirates, Parker batted .308 with 172 hits, 35 doubles, 25 home runs, and 101 RBIs in 148 games. In the postseason, he had no hits in 10 at-bats in 3 games. The next year, he batted .313 with 168 hits, 28 doubles, 19 stolen bases, and 90 RBIs in 138 games. He hit only 13 home runs in 1976.

Parker won his first batting title in 1977. He had career highs in hits (215) and batting average (.338). He led the NL in hits and doubles. He finished the season with 44 doubles, 21 home runs, and 88 RBIs in 159 games. He also played well defensively that season, winning his first gold glove and leading all NL outfielders in putouts and assists. He had 381 putouts, 26 assists, 15 errors, and a .964 fielding percentage in 158 games in right field.

Parker again won the NL batting title in 1978. He also won the NL MVP award and he led the NL in OPS with .979. He finished the season with 194 hits, 32 doubles, 30 home runs, 20 stolen bases, 117 RBIs, and a .334 batting average in 148 games. He won his second gold glove as a right fielder, making 304 putouts and 13 errors in 147 games.

Parker had another stellar season in 1979. He won the All Star Game MVP award that season. He finished the season with 193 hits, a career high 45 doubles, 25 home runs, 20 stolen bases, 94 RBIs, and a .310 batting average in 158 games. In the postseason, he had 41 at-bats in 10 games and 14 hits. Defensively, he won a third Gold Glove, this time making 343 putouts and 15 errors as a right fielder in 158 games.

Parker's batting average went down in 1980 to .295. He finished the season with 153 hits, 31 doubles, 17 home runs, and 79 RBIs in 139 games.

In the 1981 strike shortened season, Parker batted .258 with 62 hits in 67 games. He played in only 73 games in 1982. He finished the season with 66 hits and a .270 batting average.

Parker batted .279 in 144 games in 1983. He finished his last season with the Pirates with 154 hits, 29 doubles, and 69 RBIs.

Cincinnati Reds

Parker became a free agent on November 7, 1983. One month later, on December 7th, he signed with the Cincinnati Reds. In 1984, his first season with the Reds, he batted .285 with 173 hits, 28 doubles, and 94 RBIs in 156 games.

In 1985, Parker won his first Silver Slugger award. He led the NL in doubles and RBIs and he had career highs in home runs and RBIs. He finished the season with 198 hits, 42 doubles, 34 home runs, 125 RBIs, and a .312 batting average in 160 games.

Parker had another strong season in 1986, although his batting average dropped to .273. He won a second Silver Slugger award and he led the NL in games played. He finished the season with 174 hits, 31 doubles, 31 home runs, and 116 RBIs in 162 games.

Parker's batting average dropped to .253 in 1987. He finished the season with 149 hits, 28 doubles, 26 home runs, and 97 RBIs in 153 games.

Oakland Athletics

The Reds traded Parker to the Oakland Athletics on December 8, 1987. In 1988, he played in 101 games and he batted .257 with 97 hits, 18 doubles, and 55 RBIs. In the postseason, he had 6 hits in 27 at-bats in 7 games.

Parker won the Edgar Martinez award as a DH in 1989. He finished the season with 146 hits, 27 doubles, 22 home runs, 97 RBIs, and a .264 batting average in 144 games. In the postseason, he had 5 hits in 25 at-bats in 7 games.

Milwaukee Brewers

Parker signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on December 3, 1989. He won the Edgar Martinez award again in 1990, along with his third Silver Slugger award. He finished the season with 176 hits, 30 doubles, 21 home runs, 92 RBIs, and a .289 batting average in 157 games.

California Angels/Toronto Blue Jays

Parker was traded to the California Angels on March 14, 1991. He was released after playing in 119 games with the Angels and he then signed with. the Toronto Blue Jays on September 14th. He played in just 13 games with Toronto. He finished his final major league season with 120 hits, 26 doubles, 59 RBIs, and a .239 batting average.

Awards and MLB Records

• NL Batting title - 2 times
• NL MVP
• All Star Game MVP
• Edgar Martinez award - 2 times
• Gold Glove - 3 times
• Silver Slugger award - 3 times
• Led NL in doubles - 2 times

Career Statistics

Career batting statistics for Parker include:

• 2,466 games played
• 2,712 hits
• 526 doubles
• 339 home runs
• 154 stolen bases
• 1,493 RBIs
• 1,537 strikeouts to 683 walks
• .290 batting average
• .339 on-base percentage
• .810 OPS

Career fielding statistics for Parker as a right fielder include:

• 1,729 games played
• 3,633 putouts
• 134 errors
• .966 fielding percentage

Career postseason statistics for Parker include:

• 30 games played
• 111 at-bats
• 26 hits
• 11 RBIs
• .234 batting average
• .287 on-base percentage
• .647 OPS

Post Playing Career

Parker was the first base coach for the Angels in 1997. The following season he was the batting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.