Dave Parker and Dick Allen have been elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame, a moment that Parker has long awaited for nearly 30 years. Emotional upon receiving the news from Hall chair Jane Forbes Clark, Parker expressed his joy with tears, a rarity for him. “Yeah, I cried… It only took a few minutes, because I don’t cry,” he stated.
Both Parker, who earned 14 out of 16 votes from the classic era committee, and Allen, who received 13 votes, will be inducted on July 27 in Cooperstown, New York. This ceremony will also include players selected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, with their ballots being revealed on January 21.
Parker’s journey to this honor has been a long one, as he struggled to gain recognition on the BBWAA ballot between 1997 and 2011, peaking at just 24.5%. Allen, who passed away in 2020, faced similar challenges, with a maximum of 18.9% during his time on the ballot from 1983 to 1997.
During a recent Zoom press conference, the 73-year-old Parker, who has been battling Parkinson’s disease since 2012, displayed the quick wit that characterized his 19-year career. He reminisced about how he always believed in his talent, stating, “Without a doubt. When the leaves turned brown, I’d be wearing the batting crown.”
Throughout his career, Parker amassed impressive statistics, hitting .290 with 339 home runs and 1,493 RBIs while playing for teams including the Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics. He secured World Series championships in 1979 and 1989 and was honored as the National League MVP in 1978.
Parker, nicknamed “The Cobra,” was also known for his defensive prowess in the outfield, leading with 26 assists in 1977. He humorously reminisced, “I enjoyed throwing out players… If they kept running, I would hit them in the back of the head with the ball.”
Dick Allen, who also had a notable career, concluded his time in Major League Baseball with a .292 batting average, 351 home runs, and 1,119 RBIs. Allen was recognized as a seven-time All-Star and won the 1972 AL MVP.
With this induction, both Parker and Allen’s careers are celebrated, acknowledging their contributions to baseball and highlighting the perseverance that eventually led them to the Hall of Fame.
This news serves as a reminder that dreams can come true, even if they take longer than expected. Parker’s emotional response is a testament to the passion and dedication players have for the game, showing that every moment spent wishing and working hard is worth it when recognition finally arrives.