Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth
Dave Parker 40.1 WAR. Not exactly overwhelming. Barely north of Harold Baines.
Ken Boyer? 62.8. Who the hell is voting?
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It could be because I was born in '72 and Parker was larger than life during my childhood, but I would put Parker up against anyone as the best player in baseball 76-79. Perhaps Carew, Brett, Rice, Lynn, Foster (for a minute) and Morgan (on the backend), but Parker was awesome. I am actually surprised he only had 40.1 war because he had that incredible arm that made the great throw in the 79 all star game. To 7 year old me, I would guess that he had 40.1 defensive war.
I was a Reds fan growing up and 84-86 Parker was appointment TV/Radio. I still think he should have won the MVP over McGee in '85. The drug years of 80-83 killed his career numbers. I often think about what his career numbers would have been without the locker room cocaine influence of 80-83. I would guess 3000+ hits, 400+ HR's and another MVP. Kinda like the Ted Williams math of the early 40's but because of drug use instead of the nobility of going to war.
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A decade or so ago, I was at Pirate fest with the boys. My boys were around 15 and 12 at the time. My oldest brought baseballs in case he ran into anyone. He immediately walked up to Parker and asked him to sign his baseball. He smiled and signed. I then pushed my shy 12 year old to him. Parker said - I am actually walking over to sign (there was a line about 2-300 deep at that point - probably an hour wait or so). but he signed for my middle one anyway.
I watched a special on him a couple of years ago where he is struggling with Parkinson's. He is not in great shape - so I am glad that he is getting in. Years ago they ran a fake trial for Pete Rose and if he should be in the HOF. I cannot remember what channel it was on and I have never seen it on anything since. But they asked Parker as a witness if Rose should be in the HOF. Parker's response was "I think I should be in the HOF."
It is crazy to think that Baines WAR was similar because there was never a time when I thought that Harold Baines was anywhere close to the best player in baseball - or even top 5. But, I was certain of that with Dave Parker!