Dave Parker did not get into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday night—again. There seemed to be much more buzz about the possibility of his election this year, but it didn’t happen, just as it didn’t happen while he was eligible under the regular rules. Of course, now there’s the argument “well, if Harold Baines can get in, (name) should be there too.”
Baseball, however, has always had a romantic, neo-Puritan air about it. It doesn’t like players to be too loud or too cocky or to have any vices or believe in his own worth. I have actually encountered baseball fans who have protested when their favorite player jumps to another team in a big contract that he should have stayed and played “for the love of the game.” If a baseball player only wanted to play for the love of the game, he would be playing in the local rec league after he got off of work. We’re seeing record-breaking deals during these winter meetings, and while I’m sure all of the players involved do love baseball, none of them are going to say “that’s okay, I don’t really need $300 million, just put me in, coach.”
Baseball is also a sport where its Hall of Fame doesn’t include the all-time hits leader, the all-time home run hitter, and one of only four pitchers since 1990 to have over 300 wins. Then again, all sports’ Halls of Fame are based on preferences and not strictly stats, but somehow exclusions seem more personal in baseball. I really do hope Dave gets in one day, but I’d also like to see Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Pete Rose there as well.
(hops off soapbox)
Now for the trivia answers.
Dave Parker was drafted in 1970 by the Pittsburgh Pirates. In what round was he picked?
A. Third B. Twentieth C. Sixth D. Fourteenth
Answer: D
Scouts had had their eyes on Dave for a while, but the knee injury he suffered while playing football at Courter Tech High School in Cincinnati gave them pause, as did his ability to play at his regular position.
Which Hall of Famer was drafted after Dave that year?
A. Rich Gossage B. Bert Blyleven C. Bruce Sutter D. Dave Winfield
Answer: C
The star reliever was picked up by the Washington Senators in the twenty-first round of the 1970 MLB draft.
What was Dave’s original position?
A. Catcher B. Pitcher C. First baseman D. Left fielder
Answer: A
In The Cobra at Twilight, Dave said that he played catcher during his high school career, but his knee injury hindered that as well. The Pirates decided to teach him how to play the outfield, and the rest is history.
Willie Stargell made “We Are Family” the 1979 Pirates’ theme. What song did Dave want?
A. “We Are Family” B. “Stayin’ Alive” C. “Hot Stuff” D. “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”
Answer: D
Just think of all the additional money McFadden & Whitehead would have made if Dave had gotten his way. Dave didn’t attend the Pirates’ victory parade due to the negative reactions engendered by his record-breaking contract, which in The Cobra at Twilight he says he regrets now. His reception this past summer at the fortieth anniversary of the 1979 Pirates hopefully made up a little for that.
Dave was the first pro athlete to make $1 million a year. Who was the second?
A. Terry Bradshaw B. Nolan Ryan C. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar D. Reggie Jackson
Answer: B
Ryan signed a four-year, $4.5 million contract with the Houston Astros in November 1979, ten months after Dave signed his contract.
If you have MLB Network, check out The Cobra at Twilight, which will premiere tonight at 8 p.m. Anyone familiar with Dave’s career isn’t going to be really surprised by the ground that’s covered, but one thing that really comes out is the respect and love that he gets from his contemporaries. When I was growing up, my dad and uncles would tell me about the greats they saw play—and they did see some greats.
I can say that I saw Dave Parker play in his prime.
And he was pretty great.