Mark Madden: Dave Parker was a Pirate, was Pittsburgh and a worthy successor to Roberto Clemente

Dave Parker was the last in line. See how he shined.

Parker is likely the final player that will go into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a Pittsburgh Pirate. Unless the Hall wises up and finally inducts Al Oliver. It took way too long for Parker.

No great player will ever again stick around Pittsburgh long enough to wear a Pirates hat on his plaque at Cooperstown.

Nor will the Pirates ever win again.

The Pirates are broken.

Parker wasn’t broken. Parker broke opponents. He could be great to the point of demoralizing.

Parker was an imposing figure: 6-foot-5, 230 pounds. Every talent possible. Powerful bat. Amazing arm.

Parker’s biggest accomplishment might be providing a worthy successor to the great Roberto Clemente in right field.

It seemed impossible, but Parker assumed the task in 1975 after two seasons of Richie Zisk. Parker finished third in National League MVP voting in ’75 and led the NL in slugging.

Parker hit 10 triples that year. Displayed a big arm from the start. Triples and a rifle: Two Clemente trademarks. Clemente should have witnessed.

But Parker quickly developed his own trademarks.

A swing that uncoiled like a cobra. (That was one reason for his nickname.)

Just the right amount of swag, without being overbearing. He epitomized ’70s cool.

A healthy ego but a deference to the legendary Willie Stargell that served the 1979 world championship team well and fit the concept of Fam-A-Lee.

Parker racked up honors:

• Two world championships.

• 1978 NL MVP. (Finished top three in MVP voting four times.)

• Two batting titles.

• Three Gold Gloves.

But his most awesome display was with his arm in the 1979 All-Star Game. He threw out one runner at home, another at third to cop the game’s MVP. Two absolute cannons.

Parker was definitely like Clemente in that regard. He could dominate games with his glove and arm.

Parker eventually left Pittsburgh. But he spent 11 years here, including his best. (He did win a World Series in 1989 with Oakland, when he was 38. Parker hit three home runs in that year’s playoffs. Ballyhooed “Bash Brothers” Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco hit three between them.)

Parker was a Pirate.

Parker was Pittsburgh.

I loved watching Parker play. It was a big thrill for me when Parker was a guest on my radio show. He was right in my teenage wheelhouse.

It stinks that Parker passed (Saturday at 74) before his induction ceremony at Cooperstown. Parker should have been in the Hall of Fame years ago. But at least Parker knew.

He’s in the Pirates’ Hall of Fame. Time to go one step further and retire Parker’s No. 39.

Parker battled Parkinson’s disease hard since being diagnosed in 2012. That fight has ended.

The best we can do is reflect on the storied career of Dave Parker and do it again when he’s officially admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27.

If you hear any noise tonight, it’s not thunder. It’s just Dave and the boys boppin’.