A version of this story first appeared in Adam McCalvy’s Brewers Beat newsletter in December. You can subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
MILWAUKEE -- It was no surprise that stories of Dave Parker's election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in December via the Classic Baseball Era Committee were filled with tales from his time in Pittsburgh, where he won a World Series ring and multiple batting titles, and Cincinnati, where he played for his hometown team.
But don’t forget The Cobra’s season in Milwaukee after his surprise signing with the Brewers on a two-year deal during the 1989 Winter Meetings. In ‘90, Parker hit .289 with 21 home runs and 92 RBIs, good enough to garner some American League MVP Award votes and win his third Silver Slugger Award. He was the Brewers’ lone All-Star.
That was also Tom Flanagan’s first season as a Brewers bat boy. More than three decades later, Flanagan is the team’s senior vice president of player operations and baseball administration.
"My memories were just of a huge guy that had an intimidating presence,” said Flanagan, who mostly worked the visitors’ side that year but ran into Parker from time to time. “He had a very lively and friendly personality once you interacted with him around the clubhouse."
Parker was always an intimidating force when he wielded a 37-ounce bat during the 1970s and '80s for six Major League teams, most notably the Pirates, Reds and A’s. Besides winning two batting titles, a National League MVP Award, three NL Gold Glove Awards and three NL Silver Slugger Awards, Parker played 19 years in the big leagues, hitting .290 with 339 home runs and 1,493 RBIs.
Parker was the Designated Hitter of the Year in 1989 in Oakland, helping the A’s win the World Series, and again in '90 for Milwaukee. The Brewers traded Parker to the Angels during Spring Training for Dante Bichette in ‘91.
Longtime Brewers clubhouse director Tony Migliaccio, who also began his career with the club as a batboy, remembers the warm side of Parker's personality. Every time he'd cross paths with Parker, the player would look up, flash a huge smile and say, "My favorite guy!" All year, he addressed Migliaccio that way.
Decades later, Parker was visiting Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park while the Brewers happened to be in town. Parkinson's disease had taken a lot from Parker by that time, but Migliaccio recognized the familiar bright eyes when he stepped up to say hello.
"My favorite guy!" Parker said.