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One of the best right-field throwing arms in mlb history in his prime.

The All-Star game used to be a big deal. Outside of the World Series, it was the only time that AL played against NL during the regular season. Bragging rights were important then.

Parker's strike to Home Plate from Right Field is one of the greatest I'd seen. The announcer at the time gave more credit to the catcher, but the throw made the play at the plate possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PH6XJypKno

After fracturing his cheekbone during a collision at home plate in June 1978, Parker missed a handful of games then came back wearing a black-and-yellow hockey goalie’s mask at the plate.

I saw that Pirates-Mets game. The Catcher was John Stearns, a very good catcher on a very bad team. He also played linebacker in college if I recall. Anyway, irresistible force meets immovable object. Stearns won that one. Baseball was so much better then.

Baseball was so much better then.

Other than for the artificial turf and cookie-cutter stadiums.

I saw that Pirates-Mets game. The Catcher was John Stearns, a very good catcher on a very bad team. He also played linebacker in college if I recall. Anyway, irresistible force meets immovable object. Stearns won that one. Baseball was so much better then.

Parker bowled over Phillies catcher Johnny Oates April 10, 1976, and broke Oats' collar bone. Oates missed about two months on the DL. When he tried to do the same to Stearns, Parker broke his cheek bone. Stearns was a safety at Colorado State where his nick name was "bad dude". He went through the Phillies farm system where he was taught how to block home plate by former Phillies catcher Andy Seminick. Stearns played one game for the Phillies before being traded to the Mets in the Tug McGraw deal. I don't think Parker tried running over catchers again after he collided with Stearns. Parker was a power hitter and had a strong arm in right field. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, although I remember Steve Carlton used to own him. Carlton owned a lot of hitters through out his career.

What a great moment in that game! Just look at who was on the field, besides Parker and Carter. Pete Rose playing 1st, Reggie Jackson on 2nd base, and Bruce Sutter backing up home plate. One of the great eras of baseball!

Yeah, incredible throw. I appreciate it as I played right field and Catcher and was considered as having a very good arm and Glove. Unfortunately my barely above Mendoza line batting average wasn’t going to make it at the College level so I gave it up after High School / American Legion.
The fact that the ball Parker threw was on the fly was crazy. Carter made a good play, all made possible by Parker.