“I Think I Should Get a New Number,” Gonzales Says Pirates Should Retire Parker’s No. 39

PITTSBURGH —  Just before first pitch on Saturday’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets at PNC Park, the baseball world learned of the passing of Hall of Famer Dave Parker.

As players and coaches from both sides lineup up for the National Anthem, public address announcer asked for a moment of silence to honor “The Cobra,” who died at the age of 74.

“He was probably Superman to a lot of people when he played,” Andrew McCutchen said on Parker. “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.”

Parker played 11 of his 19 seasons with the Pirates and is one of the more decorated players in franchise history. During his time in Pittsburgh, Parker won a pair of batting titles in consecutive seasons, was named to four All-Star teams and helped lead the Pirates to the 1979 World Series.

Parker was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Classic Era Committee and was set to be enshrined in Cooperstown next month.

The 6-foot-5 Parker was one of the game’s best players in the 1970’s and carried a well-deserved reputation as one of the toughest players in the sport. He had the personality and confidence to match his immense talent.

“It’s the Cobra, right? The time he was here with the Pirates, he did some amazing things on the field,” said McCutchen. “Part of being a World Champion here. Crazy numbers, back-to-back years where he won the batting title… He was a very big guy.”

The Pirates named Parker to their inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2022.

Nick Gonzales, who wears the same No. 39 as Parker did when he played, thinks the Pirates should honor the Hall of Famer even further.

“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. He’s in the Hall of Fame.”

In addition to Jackie Robinson’s No 42 being retired league-wide, the Pirates have nine numbers that no player will ever wear again in Pittsburgh — Billy Meyer (No. 1), Ralph Kiner (No. 4), Willie Stargell (No. 8), Bill Mazeroski (No. 9), Paul Waner (No. 11), Pie Traynor (No. 20), Roberto Clemente (No. 21), Honus Wagner (No. 33) and Danny Murtaugh (No. 40).

The seven players on that list of nine are in the Hall of Fame. With Parker getting formally inducted on July 27, perhaps it’s time to add his number to the facing in front of the second deck behind PNC Park’s home plate where the retired numbers are displayed.