>>We watched Stargell hit TWO balls into the red seats of Riverfront - right field naturally,
Willie was always a good “tape-measure” hitter. :) When he’d hit one into the upper deck of Three Rivers they’d put a different color seat at that spot to keep track.
>> and caught two from....oh lord, (gettin old is hell)....that big outfielder...what was his name? Had a bit of trouble with coke during the end of his career....(sorry I can’t remember his name).
You’re probably thinking of Dave Parker. I was very excited when he came along, and had high hopes that he’d take Willie’s place as my favorite after Willie retired, but no such luck. Parker just wasn’t the lovable gentleman that Willie Stargell was. I think Parker was the first major leager to make a million per year. He held out for a while to get it and then after he got it he had a bad slump. Then one day someone took a battery out of their radio and chucked it at him out in right field. He wasn’t there much longer I think, though it’s been such a long time... hard to remember.
‘You’re probably thinking of Dave Parker.’
Yep, thats the guy. He had a nice conversation with us (as nice as it can be given we were in the left field stands talking down at him). Asked if we could throw one of the balls down for an autograph (the things you did as a kid....shakes head). He politely declined but then said he would hit one to us when the game started.
He didn’t, but still, it was a thrill for three teenagers at the time.
‘You’re probably thinking of Dave Parker.’
Yep, thats the guy. He had a nice conversation with us (as nice as it can be given we were in the left field stands talking down at him). Asked if we could throw one of the balls down for an autograph (the things you did as a kid....shakes head). He politely declined but then said he would hit one to us when the game started.
He didn’t, but still, it was a thrill for three teenagers at the time.
I will never, ever forget Parkers throw from left field to home during a series game to nail the runner. Absolute perfect throw and what an arm!!!