Dave Parker

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Lore & Background

Parker's time with the Reds was marked by both historic highs and personal lows. After signing on December 7, 1983, he immediately returned to elite form, finishing second in MVP voting to Willie McGee in 1985. His power was evident when he hit six home runs in ten attempts during the Home Run Derby. However, his career was derailed by the pervasive drug scandal involving dealer Curtis Strong. Parker testified against the dealer but was named a 'regular user' and suspended alongside six others. The sentences were commuted only after he agreed to donate 10% of his salary to community service, submit to random testing, and complete 100 hours of service. This era ended with his trade to Oakland on December 8, 1987.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Parker's Reds tenure is defined by the contrast between his 1985 dominance and the subsequent drug trials. In Cincinnati, he proved that despite a decline in Pittsburgh due to weight issues and injuries, he could still lead the league. His .312 average and 34 home runs that season were his best since his MVP campaign in 1978. Yet, the shadow of cocaine consumption loomed large. Parker became a central figure in the major leagues' drug scandal, leading to a suspension that was only lifted after significant concessions regarding community service and testing. While he later won a World Series with Oakland in 1989, his time in Cincinnati remains a complex chapter of resurgence followed by controversy.

Reader's Guide

Dave Parker's statistical peak with the Reds occurred in 1985, where he led the National League in RBIs (125), doubles (42), extra-base hits (80), and total bases (350). He also secured a runner-up finish in MVP voting. His defensive prowess was legendary earlier in his career with Pittsburgh, but by 1985, he was primarily an offensive weapon. Parker's journey ended in Cincinnati when the team traded him to the Oakland Athletics for José Rijo and Tim Birtsas on December 8, 1987. Fans remember him not just for the six home runs in the Home Run Derby, but also for the tragic suspension that interrupted his final years as a Red.

Did You Know?

• Parker signed a five-year, $5 million contract in January 1979, becoming the first American athlete to earn an average of $1 million per year.
• He wore a specially crafted hockey mask and later modified football helmets after fracturing his jaw and cheekbone in a collision with John Stearns on June 30, 1978.
• In 1985, Parker hit six home runs in ten attempts to win the first-ever Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game.
• Parker was suspended by MLB for cocaine use but had his sentence commuted after donating 10% of his base salary to drug-related community service and completing 100 hours of service.
• He died on June 28, 2025, just 29 days before he was scheduled to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.