Dave “The Cobra” Parker, one of the greatest players to ever wear a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform, was honored before the June 27 game with the Tampa Bay Rays as part of the Pirates’ African American Heritage Weekend celebration. It was also Dave Parker Lumber Company Bobblehead Giveaway night. All fans in attendance received a Dave Parker bobblehead, courtesy of FSN.

YOUNG FANS—“The Cobra” signs his autograph on a hat for Tawanda Jackson and her nephew, Ray Saun Jackson of Wilkinsburg.

The left-handed slugger was a key member of the Pirates’ “Lumber Company” of the 1970s. He had a rifle arm, and the rare combination of power and average at the plate.

Parker is in the top 15 in 10 different offensive categories in Pirates’ history, including games played (1,301, 15th), runs scored (728, 15th), hits (1,479, 13th), doubles (296, 7th), home runs (166, 5th), batting average (.305, 15th), slugging percentage (.494, 8th), extra base hits (524, 7th), and total bases (2,397, 10th).