Dave Parker vs. Roberto Clemente

Attribute	Dave Parker	Roberto Clemente
Birthdate	June 9, 1951	August 18, 1934
Position	Outfielder	Outfielder
Teams	Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays	Pittsburgh Pirates
World Series Championships	2	2
All-Star Appearances	7	15

Background

Both Dave Parker and Roberto Clemente are considered baseball legends in their own right. Parker, known as "The Cobra," played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds during his career in the 1970s and 1980s. Clemente, on the other hand, was a right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 until his tragic death in a plane crash in 1972. Despite their different eras, both players left a lasting impact on the game of baseball.

Hitting Ability

When it comes to hitting, both Parker and Clemente were known for their prowess at the plate. Parker was a feared power hitter, known for his ability to drive the ball out of the park with ease. He won two batting titles during his career and was a seven-time All-Star. Clemente, on the other hand, was known for his consistency and ability to hit for average. He won four batting titles and had a career batting average of .317. While Parker had more power, Clemente was known for his ability to hit for average.

Fielding Skills

Defensively, both Parker and Clemente were exceptional outfielders. Parker, despite his large frame, was surprisingly agile in the outfield and had a strong arm that helped him gun down baserunners. He won three Gold Glove awards for his defensive prowess. Clemente, on the other hand, was known for his incredible arm strength and accuracy. He won 12 Gold Glove awards during his career and was known for his highlight-reel throws from right field. Both players were known for their defensive skills, with Clemente perhaps having a slight edge due to his numerous Gold Glove awards.

Base Running

When it comes to base running, both Parker and Clemente were known for their speed and aggressiveness on the base paths. Parker was a threat to steal bases and was known for his ability to take an extra base on a hit. Clemente, on the other hand, was known for his smart base running and ability to score from first on a double. Both players were known for their base running skills, with Parker perhaps having a slight edge in terms of speed.

Impact on the Game

Both Parker and Clemente had a significant impact on the game of baseball, both on and off the field. Parker was known for his larger-than-life personality and was a key figure in the Pittsburgh Pirates' "We Are Family" team that won the World Series in 1979. Clemente, on the other hand, was a trailblazer for Latin American players in Major League Baseball and was known for his humanitarian efforts off the field. He tragically died in a plane crash while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Both players left a lasting impact on the game of baseball, with Clemente perhaps having a slightly larger impact due to his humanitarian efforts.

Legacy

Both Parker and Clemente have left behind a lasting legacy in the world of baseball. Parker was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 2014 and remains a beloved figure in Pittsburgh. Clemente, on the other hand, was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973 and remains one of the most revered figures in the history of the game. Both players are remembered for their contributions to the game of baseball and their impact on and off the field.