Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari is back in Pittsburgh for a short visit. His stay in his hometown gave him the opportunity to visit beloved places and meet with people important to him. But it was also an opportunity to learn some sad news.
One of Calipari’s favorite MLB players from his youth, Dave Parker, recently passed away due to complications associated with Parkinson’s disease.
John Calipari on Dave Parker: “One of the Great Ones I Followed”
Calipari wrote a heartfelt message on his X account, followed by 1.5 million fans, expressing his sadness over Parker’s passing.
Happy to be in Pittsburgh today. Stopped by the Pirates game and got together with Don Kelly before the game.
Heard during the game that Dave Parker passed away. Dave was one of the great ones I followed throughout my days in Pittsburgh. Great player, great person, tough… pic.twitter.com/PndgSQ5kNP
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) June 28, 2025
The MLB announced Parker’s death on Saturday. He died at the age of 74. The former outfielder known as “The Cobra” had recently been inducted into the Cooperstown Hall of Fame, and the official ceremony would take place in less than a month.
“Dave Parker was a gifted all-around player whose numerous accomplishments led to his upcoming induction in Cooperstown this summer,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
“He was a World Series Champion with the 1979 Pirates and the 1989 Athletics, a beloved All-Star Red in his hometown of Cincinnati, and an All-Star in Milwaukee. Dave was also a three-time Gold Glover on the strength of his famous arm, a two-time batting champion, and the winner of the inaugural Home Run Derby in 1985.
“All of us throughout the game are deeply saddened by this loss. We will remember the Cobra forever, especially as his name soon officially joins the legends of our National Pastime. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my sympathy to Dave’s family and his fans across the game.”
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Parker played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1973 to 1983, which coincides with part of Calipari’s teenage years in the city and also his time as a player-student at Western University Clarion, just over 100 miles away from the city.
With the Pirates, Parker won two National League batting titles (1977 and 1978) and the League MVP Award (1978). He was a four-time All-Star (1977, 1979, and 1981) and was one of the team’s leaders in winning the World Series in 1979. His defensive work was also notable with Pittsburgh, as he won three Gold Gloves during that period (1977-1979).
Parker played in the MLB until 1991, playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, and Toronto Blue Jays.
Parker was involved in the Pittsburgh Drug Trials scandal, which involved several Pirates players being investigated for drug use. This affected his election to the Cooperstown Hall of Fame, but he was eventually inducted by the Classic Baseball Era Committee in 2024 (Class of 2025).
