The game of baseball was an integral part of Dave Parker's life from a very young age. Growing up in Cincinnati near Crosley Field, the young Parker learned to play baseball in the stadium's parking lot.
By 1973, the big, powerful outfielder was playing inside Major League Baseball stadiums.
Parker’s career started in 1973 as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he excelled for over a decade for the Bucs.
During his time in Pittsburgh, Parker pieced together a career worthy of Hall of Fame consideration as he won back-to-back National League batting titles in 1977-78. He was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1978 and was a member of the Pirates last World Series championship team in 1979. The Cobra also became Major League Baseball's first million dollar per year player just one year prior to leading the Pirates to the World Series title.
Parker was part of a legendary run of right fielders at Three Rivers Stadium, as he followed in the footsteps of icon Roberto Clemente and Pirates legend Willie Stargell. Parker was a Pirates fan favorite for an entire generation of fans.
After his time in Pittsburgh, Parker played key roles for the Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels and Toronto Blue Jays before retiring in 1991.
“The Cobra” finished his storied career as a seven-time All-Star, a two-time World Series champion, the 1978 National League MVP, a three-time Gold Glove award winner, a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a two-time National League batting champion and a member of the Reds Hall of Fame.
In this exclusive interview, Tony Reid chatted with Parker about signing a MLB baseball card deal, his trophy room of cards, collectibles and memorabilia, following in Clemente and Stargell's footsteps and revolutionizing the salary scale in professional baseball.
