What did Keith Hernandez say after Dave Parker's death? Tributes pour in for MLB legend

Former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Dave Parker died a few weeks prior to his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, apace with CC Sabathia and Ichiro Suzuki. He was 73 years old and one of the most significant players during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

An important contributor to the Pirates' success, many baseball players offered condolences, including former New York Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez.

Hernandez and Parker, contemporaries in baseball, have been enemies as well as friends. They played together in the same league for years. They had quite a few on-field confrontations, but even with all of that, they respected each other. When Parker died, Hernandez wrote a moving message to pay tribute to his beloved friend and fellow player.

What did Keith Hernandez say about Dave Parker?

Keith Hernandez gave his tribute shortly after being informed of Dave Parker's passing. He talked about Parker's ability and his dominance in the league. He referred to Parker as the "best player of the late '70s and early '80s".

He characterized Parker as:

"The best player of the late '70s and early '80s. Great boisterous peer. He used to say, 'When the leaves turn brown, I will be wearing the [batting title] crown.' Until I usurped his crown in '79. He was a better player than me. RIP."

Hernandez remembered how Parker would say, "When the leaves turn brown, I will be wearing the [batting title] crown". Hernandez remembered Parker for his strong personality and competitive nature. The two of them fought hard throughout the season, but there was always reverence.

Hernandez also spoke about the 1979 season, when he won the National League batting title. He joked that he had “usurped” Parker’s crown that year. But he admitted, “He was a better player than me”. His comments depict how highly he thought of Parker, both as a player and as a person.

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What made Dave Parker an MLB legend?

Also referred to as "The Cobra", Dave Parker played 19 years in the major leagues. He started with the Pittsburgh Pirates and then played for clubs like the Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, and Milwaukee Brewers. Two World Series titles: one with the Pirates in 1979 and the other with the Athletics in 1989, were won by him.

Parker was a power hitter and had a superb arm for the outfield. In 1978, he was awarded the National League MVP. He was selected for seven All-Star Games. He was also awarded three Gold Glove Awards and three Silver Slugger Awards during his career.

He broke records by signing as the first baseball player for a one-million-dollar salary a year. His impact went beyond figures, as he helped to change the game for his peers, open doors, and pave the way for future stars.

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Dave Parker was more than a baseball legend. He was among the most influential figures of the game in the 1970s and 1980s. Keith Hernandez's eulogy highlights the respect Parker earned from his peers.

While his death is a loss for baseball, his pending induction into the Hall of Fame will be a testament to his career and legacy. From pitching for the Pirates to his presence throughout the league, Parker's name will never be forgotten by MLB fans, players, and teams.

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