MLB Icon Dave Parker, Pioneer of Pittsburgh Pirates, Dies at 74

Dave Parker, a revered MLB figure and Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer, died at 74, just 29 days before his scheduled induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

June 29, 2026

Last updated by Suruchi on June 29, 2026

Dave Parker “The Cobra”, a MLB great who secured two National League championships, passed away at 74, leaving behind a family deeply impacted by his absence.

Per reports, the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates legend succumbed to Parkinson’s disease on June 28, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio, after a prolonged struggle with the illness.

Parker, a 6’5” baseball luminary, enjoyed a storied MLB career spanning 1973–1991 with the Pirates, Reds, Athletics, Brewers, Angels, and Blue Jays.

Over his career, Parker recorded 2,712 hits, 339 homers, 1,493 RBIs, and maintained a .290 lifetime batting average.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2012, Parker co-founded the Dave Parker 39 Foundation with wife Kellye Crockett to advance research into the disease.

Family members and fans share cherished memories, expressing sorrow and gratitude for Parker’s contributions to baseball and his community.

Surviving Parker includes wife Kellye Crockett, six children, multiple grandchildren, and extended family.

Family Background and Legacy

Parker’s first marriage to Stella Miller produced three children before their 1980 separation. He later married Kellye Crockett in 1984, with whom he had three children—David Parker Jr., Dorian Kellye Parker, and Danielle Parker—whose professional achievements reflect his enduring influence.

David, a pharmacist at CVS in Florida, graduated from Florida A&M. Dorian, a PR and advertising graduate from Florida A&M, works in Atlanta. Danielle, a business admin graduate from Brown Mackie College, operates in Ohio.

Unusual Career Beginnings

In 1992, Parker supported his wife’s restaurant ventures while playing in senior leagues.
Post-Parkinson’s diagnosis, he pivoted to philanthropy, selling restaurants to fund his foundation.

Suruchi, a sports enthusiast and business student, crafts insightful sports journalism, blending academic rigor with creative storytelling.

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