Dave Parker: podcast appearances and interviews

David Gene Parker, born on June 9, 1951, was an American professional baseball player known for his outstanding career as a right fielder in Major League Baseball from 1973 to 1991. Nicknamed the Cobra, Parker was a seven-time All-Star and secured two National League batting titles. His accolades include being named the 1978 NL Most Valuable Player and winning World Series championships with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979 and the Oakland Athletics in 1989. Parker achieved significant career milestones, accumulating 2,712 hits, 339 home runs, 1,493 runs batted in, and maintaining a lifetime batting average of .290. He was a notable defensive player, recognized for his powerful arm and exceptional fielding skills, which earned him three consecutive Gold Glove Awards during his prime. Between 1975 and 1979, he successfully threw out 72 runners, including 26 in 1977. Parker was also known for his earnings, becoming the first American athlete to earn an average of one million dollars per year with a five-year, five million dollar contract signed in January 1979. His career achievements led to his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025, just 29 days before his death in the same year.