American professional baseball player Dave Parker, whose full name is David Gene Parker, passed away on June 28, 2025. He was also popularly known by his nickname "The Cobra." The nickname came from his speed and powerful movements on the pitch. Parker passed away at 74 years old, just a few weeks before he was to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Parker made good money as a professional baseball player. He became the second professional athlete to make $1 million per season in 1979, after he signed a five-year contract for around $5 million. While an exact number has not been released, Parker's net worth at the time of his passing is estimated to range between $5 million to $25 million.
Parker has played over 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). His total paying salary is estimated to be around $30 million, without any of the sponsorships and other business ventures. Keep reading to learn more about Dave Parker's career.
Dave Parker's career history and more
Dave Parker had an illustrious career in the MLB. He began his career in baseball in 1973 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played with them for 11 seasons. He played as a right fielder from 1973 to 1991. Throughout his career, he has been a seven-time All-Star and was named the National League Most Valuable Player in 1978. During the first half of his career, he won three Gold Gloves straight.
His career stats throughout his career include a batting average of 290, 2,712 hits, 1,493 RBIs, and 338 home runs.
After his retirement from the MLB, Parker invested in different ventures. These include real estate, the stock market, endorsements, and more, which helped to add to his net worth. He also founded the Dave Parker 39 Foundation, which is meant to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson's, a disease which Dave Parker himself was diagnosed with in 2012.
Aside from the foundation, the plans for his fortune and inheritance have not been revealed to the public. However, it is assumed that it will be taken care of by his wife and distributed among his six children.
Parker passed away a month before he was to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. During an interview, "The Cobra" told reporters his reaction when he first heard the news. He said:
"Yeah, I cried... It only took a few minutes, because I don't cry."
David Gene Parker's passing was announced by the Pittsburgh Pirates on their official Instagram account with a tribute. They wrote:
"We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Dave Parker. A legendary Pirate, Parker spent 11 years in a Pirates uniform, winning 2 batting titles, an MVP award and a World Series Championship in 1979. The Cobra was part of the inaugural Pirates Hall of Fame class in 2022, and will be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown next month."
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