1977 Topps Baseball #270 - Dave Parker

• Big Dave Parker was starting to get recognition for his ability when this card came out. The kid across the street was from the Pittsburgh area and the Pirates were his "second team" (after the Reds), so we got to know about the Pirates players through him.
• Dave led the NL in batting (.338), hits (215), and doubles (44). Parker started in right field for the NL in the All Star Game and was 1 for 3 with a run scored. Parker won the first of three Gold Glove awards and finished third in MVP voting.
• 1977 Stats: .338, 21 HR, 88 RBI, 107 runs scored
• 1977 Highlights:
• April 22 - Hit a 2-run homer in the 8th inning off of Tom Seaver to help the Pirates to a 4-3 win over the New York Mets. Parker was fooled on the low and outside pitch and hit the homer with one hand.
• May 8 - Doubled home two runs and had a single as the Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 and swept a 3-game series. After the game Parker was batting .422.
• May 22 - Hit two home runs, including a grand slam, to help the Pirates give Don Sutton his first loss of the season. The Pirates  beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 and Sutton's record dropped to 6-1.
• July 12 - Was reported to be disgruntled about his three-year contract for $200,000 that he had signed before the season. Dave acknowledged that he probably signed the contract too early. Parker eventually signed a new contract after the 1978 season after winning the NL MVP award.
• Other card blogs: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1976 Kellogg's, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988