Dave Parker Dies at 74, Baseball HOFer Won 1978 NL MVP, 2 World Series Titles

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Saturday the death of franchise legend Dave Parker at the age of 74.

A seven-time All-Star and the 1978 National League MVP, Parker was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in December by the Classic Baseball Era Committee. This year's induction ceremony is scheduled for July 27 in Cooperstown, New York.

Parker spent his first 11 seasons with the Pirates. He ranks ninth in franchise history in slugging percentage (.494) and hit the sixth-most home runs (166) of any Pittsburgh player.

The right fielder's best spell came between 1977-79. Across those three years, he had the third-most WAR of any position player (20.1), per FanGraphs, and boasted a slash line of .327/.390/.546.

The 1979 season is also when the Pirates won their last World Series title. During their playoff run, Parker batted .341 with six RBI in 10 games. In a 3-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 2 of the NLCS, he drove home the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th.

MLB.com's Adam Berry noted 1979 is when Parker made history as well by signing a five-year, $5 million contract. He became the first pro baseball player to make $1 million annually.

"The Cobra" left Pittsburgh after the 1983 season and signed with the Cincinnati Reds. He spent four years there and had additional spells with the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels and Toronto Blue Jays. He earned a second World Series ring with the A's in 1989, when they swept the San Francisco Giants in the Fall Classic.

Parker retired after 19 seasons, finishing with 339 homers and a .290 batting average. The Pirates and Reds have both inducted him into their team Halls of Fame.