Do you think "The Cobra", Dave Parker {at his Best} had the STRONGEST Right Field Arm of the last 35 years?

Question

In other words the strongest Right Field Arm since the passing of the great Roberto Clemente.

Answer 1

love your question Melissa, I would give a very slight edge to Cobra over Ellis Valentine of the Expos.  Parker received much more visibility due to the success of the '79 Pirates, but in his prime Valentine could throw with the best of them.

Answer 2

Parker would certainly be in the discussion but consider these names as well:

Roberto Clemente (As you have mentioned)

Dwight "Dewey" Evans

Rocky Colavito

Roger Maris

Yes, Dave Parker also belongs in the hall of fame.

Answer 3

Although he will never be in Clemente's class as a "rifle arm" (no one will, for that matter), Dave Parker did possess a very strong accurate arm. Parker may be maligned by some of the things he did off the field as well as not being a great club house presence, but there was no doubt of his ability to throw out guys from anywhere in right field. I am honored to have witnessed both Clemente and Parker play in the 'Burgh!

Answer 4

He might not be the most accurate but I nominate Vlad Guerrero.

Answer 5

Yes

Answer 6

There have been some good ones, like Guerrero, Barfield, etc., but you can make the argument that Parker in his prime was as good if not better.

I was just 8 years old when Parker threw out Brian Downing at home and Jim Rice at third in the 1979 All-Star game.  Both throws were incredible.

Parker was arguably the best player in the game during the window in the late 70s when I first fell in love with baseball.  I know Willie Stargell had a solid year in '79 and was certainly someone who provided veteran leadership. Stargell won co-MVP and it is he who is first associated with the We Are Family Pirates.  I think it has been lost in baseball history that Parker was truly the star on that team.

OK, so I editorialized from your original question a bit, so I will return to it and say "yes"

Answer 7

When you say "at his best" you mean like 5 years at the end of the 1970's? ok, i'll give him that.

Most of the people using this section aren't old enough to know who Dave Parker is other than what they have read..... which is his bat & cocaine use.

Answer 8

I'd nominate Jesse Barfield, but Parker would be somewhere in the next five.

Answer 9

I agree 100 precent.

Answer 10

I agree, Parker strong arm for sure, however, totally immobile. Parker will probably be most remembered for using the sledgehammer in the on deck circle though. He did that when everybody else just used doughnuts or two bats.  

Answer 11

I wouldn't argue against that. He had a throw in the All Star Game(don't know what year) that was spectacular.

Answer 12

He was great, no doubt about it. Dewey Evans of the Red Sox, however, was his equal if not his better. Either one of the two of them. And you're right. Roberto would be my first choice, too.