Pirates mourn passing of Hall of Famer Dave Parker, suggest his No. 39 should be retired

Nick Gonzales wore No. 39 for the Pittsburgh Pirates with a heavy heart Saturday upon learning that the man who made it famous for the franchise, Hall of Fame electee Dave Parker, had died at age 74.

As much as he considers it “an honor just to wear it,” the Pirates second baseman believes the number should be reserved for Parker alone.

“It just meant a little more playing today with that number,” Gonzales said after the Pirates’ 9-2 win over the New York Mets at PNC Park. “Personally, I think it should be retired. I think I should get a new number, honestly. I think that might happen at some point when some numbers open up. I think that number should be retired, for sure.”

Nicky G on wearing Dave Parker's #39 ⬇️

"I think it should be retired and I should get a new number, honestly... it's an honor just to wear it on my back." pic.twitter.com/gZlOfbKXPh

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) June 29, 2025

That Parker’s passing came just a month before his enshrinement into the National Baseball Hall of Fame only made it more tragic for the Pirates, given that the larger-than-life figure with a powerful persona was one of the stars of their most recent World Series champions in 1979.

Pirates manager Don Kelly prefaced his postgame news conference by recognizing “a great member of the Pirates family” in Parker and “what he meant to the team, to the city.”

“An icon here in Pittsburgh,” Kelly said. “Just want to send our prayers out to his family and all the Pirates fans that remember him playing and playing in huge games here.”

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Parker was an imposing right fielder who showcased his five-tool talent by becoming a seven-time All-Star, winning three Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers and two batting titles, along with the 1978 National League MVP.

“It’s the Cobra, right?” said Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen, a franchise icon in his own right. “The time he was here with the Pirates, he did some amazing things on the field: part of being a world champion here, crazy numbers, back-to-back years where he won the batting title.”

Until meeting Parker in person, McCutchen had only seen video, so he was amazed to see that such a big man batted .305/.353/.494 with 296 doubles, 62 triples, 166 home run, 758 RBIs and 123 stolen bases in 11 seasons with the Pirates.

“He wasn’t necessarily Willie Stargell, but he was a hybrid of it,” McCutchen said. “He was a guy that could do a little more than just hit. He can hit, he can hit for power and played a great outfield as well.”

McCutchen recalled sitting next to Parker at a private autograph signing years ago, how they talked the entire time and that he was able to learn about Parker’s playing career and personal life.

“He was a cool guy, big guy, cool guy. You knew when he was in the building,” McCutchen said. “He’s a big guy, and all around, that’s who he was. That was his personality. Joking with the guys around him, making fun of people. That was just him.”

"I hope now he's in a better place... he was probably superman to a lot of people when he played... you knew when he was in the building." ????

Cutch on Dave Parker ???? ???? pic.twitter.com/c2MuDSKRYx

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) June 29, 2025

McCutchen lamented that Parker died from symptoms from Parkinson’s disease, a neurogenerative disorder that attacks the central nervous system. Parker was a member of the inaugural class inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame in September 2022 but used a wheelchair in his most recent visit to PNC Park to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the 1979 World Series champions in May 2024.

“It was rough to see him go through that,” McCutchen said. “I just hope now he’s in a better place and not having to worry about any of that stuff anymore. Just thinking about his family and the fanbase who may have had any type of interaction with him, childhoods. He was probably Superman to a lot of people when he played.

“It’s a tough thing. Try to focus on the good, the positive, the things that he did while he was here. Happy I had the chance, the opportunity to meet him.”