Dave Parker Night Pays Tribute to a Cincinnati Legend
Celebrating a Cobra on Home Turf
On Tuesday, September 23, Great American Ball Park turned into a living museum for one of baseball’s most electrifying players. The Dave Parker Night ceremony honored the late "Cobra," whose career spanned two Hall of Fame clubs and earned him a place in both teams’ lore.
Fans filed in early, clutching specially printed tickets that promised a portion of the proceeds would go straight to the Dave Parker 39 Foundation. The foundation, named after Parker’s jersey number, channels funds into Parkinson’s disease research—a cause close to his heart after his own diagnosis and eventual passing on June 28.
From Pirates’ Rookie to Reds’ Legend
Parker’s baseball résumé reads like a checklist of all‑star accolades. After signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1973, he spent eleven seasons clutching the ball, winning his first World Series ring in 1979 and snagging three Gold Gloves along the way. In 1985, he stole the inaugural Home Run Derby crown, cementing his reputation as a power‑hitting outfielder.
When the Reds acquired him in 1985, the city got a fresh wave of excitement. He helped Cincinnati capture back‑to‑back World Series titles in 1990 and 1991, added three Silver Slugger Awards, and even won an All‑Star Game MVP. By the time he hung up his cleats, Parker had racked up seven All‑Star nods, two batting titles, and a Hall of Fame induction that arrived posthumously in July.
The timing of the tribute couldn’t have been more poetic. The Reds faced the Pirates that night—the very team where Parker launched his career. Former teammates from both clubs filled the stands, waving banners and sharing anecdotes that painted a picture of a competitor who was as fierce on the field as he was generous off it.
Pregame festivities kicked off with a video montage that spliced together career highlights, locker‑room jokes, and heartfelt messages from family members. The most buzzed‑about moment arrived when officials rolled out Parker’s Hall of Fame plaque, fresh from Cooperstown, and placed it on view at the Reds Hall of Fame museum from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. After the ceremony, the plaque migrated to the main gates on Crosley Terrace, where it remained until the end of the seventh inning, giving fans a chance to snap a photo with the gleaming honor.
Family members took the microphone to recount personal stories that rarely make headlines—like how young Dave would practice batting in the backyard while his dad watched, or how he once surprised a teammate with a homemade turkey sandwich after a grueling doubleheader. Those moments reminded everyone that behind the stats was a man who loved the game and the people around him.
Beyond nostalgia, the night served a clear purpose: supporting Parkinson’s research. Every ticket sold at the premium "Parker" price contributed directly to the Dave Parker 39 Foundation. Representatives from the foundation explained that the funds would go toward early‑detection programs, clinical trials, and patient‑care initiatives—efforts that align with Parker’s own advocacy during his final years.
The community response was palpable. Local businesses set up booths offering memorabilia, while volunteers handed out wristbands emblazoned with the foundation’s logo. By the end of the night, organizers reported that over $150,000 had been earmarked for research, a testament to the enduring bond between fans and their hometown hero.
On the field, the game itself reflected the spirit of the evening. Both teams played with a heightened sense of respect, exchanging nods and fist bumps as if acknowledging Parker’s influence on their careers. While the Reds ultimately fell short in the ninth inning, the scoreboard mattered less than the shared celebration of a player who turned ordinary moments into unforgettable memories.
As the lights dimmed and the crowd filed out, the echo of Parker’s name lingered in the stadium. For many, the night was more than a tribute; it was a reminder that legends live on through the stories we tell, the research we fund, and the inspiration we pass to the next generation of ballplayers.