Monday, January 04, 2010

Considering the Hall candidates - Dave Parker

Dave Parker

Pro - 'The Cobra' had some fine seasons and was arguably the dominant player in the National League from 1975-1979, when he won three Gold Gloves [1977-1979] in right field and was the 1978 NL MVP.

Parker was among the Top 10 leaders in slugging seven times - he led the National League with a .545 mark in 1975 and a .585 mark in 1978.

Parker's .339 on-base percentage was a little better than Andre Dawson's .323 - Parker didn't rack up 90-100 walks a season, but due to high batting averages, had three seasons where he had .397 on-base percentage [1977], .394 on-base percentage [1978] and .380 on-base percentage [1979].

Parker finished his career with a .290 batting average, 339 home runs, 1493 RBIs and 2712 hits.

Con - Parker was caught up with a drug scandal in 1980s and his numbers were dinged by a combination of a strike, injuries and age. 

Yes/No - I'd lean towards 'no.'

A seven time all-star and the 1979 All-Star MVP, Parker was a great player in his prime and a case can be made that he is a borderline Hall of Famer - if Parker he'd reached 3,000 hits, he'd be in the Hall of Fame. As impressive as his accomplishments are, his final numbers doesn't quite vault him from Hall of Very Good status.

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