Parker Says He’s Paid for the Past and Is Looking Ahead

So, Dave Parker, how do you feel about finishing as runner-up to Willie McGee in the voting for the National League’s most valuable player award in 1985?

“Anybody who knows a (bleep)ing thing about baseball can’t say I didn’t deserve it,” Parker said.

So much for the nation’s baseball writers who did the voting.

It’s not hard to build a case for Parker. All he did in 1985 was hit .312, fifth-highest average in the NL, while leading the league in runs batted in with 125, and finishing second to Dale Murphy in home runs with a career-high 34.

He also led the league in doubles and was second in hits, slugging percentage and game-winning RBIs. He never went more than two games without a hit all season, and hit in 31 of his last 34 games. Down the stretch, he hit .384 with 11 homers and 38 RBIs.

“And I didn’t have the supporting cast McGee did--Herr, Coleman, Clark,” Parker said.

So, what’s Parker’s explanation for losing the MVP?

“The Pittsburgh thing,” he said, referring to the well publicized drug trial last summer in which he admitted to cocaine use and also named a number of other players, including Bill Madlock of the Dodgers, as having used drugs in some form.

Madlock, who according to Parker distributed amphetamines in the Pirate clubhouse when he was with Pittsburgh, was cleared of wrongdoing by Commissioner Peter Ueberroth.

Parker did not fare as well. He is one of seven players given the choice of a one-year suspension or donating 10% of their 1986 salaries. In Parker’s case, that meant coughing up $87,500.

“I paid for it to be past,” Parker said with some anger. “If (Ueberroth’s penalties) were challenged in court, I’m sure some things would be raised, but I wanted to put it behind me.

“That (the drug use) happened five years ago. The statute of limitations has run out on those things. But I’ve paid to put it behind me.”

When he looks ahead, Parker sees the Reds mounting a serious challenge to the Dodgers this season. “It’s about time somebody else wins it,” he said.

“We played poorly in the first half of last season, and that cost us the pennant. We have to make sure we get out of the chute.

“We’re pretty even with the Dodgers. They have good starting pitching; we have good starting pitching. They have a good bullpen; we have a good bullpen.

“In the outfield, (Nick) Esasky has the same potential as (Mike) Marshall. I face up pretty well with (Pedro) Guerrero. We’re a little stronger in center field with (Eric) Davis and (Eddie) Milner, who to me is the best defensive center fielder in baseball.

“At third, Madlock and (Buddy) Bell are about even. Shortstop, (Mariano) Duncan has the advantage of speed, but Davey (Concepcion) has the experience and the edge at the plate, so that’s about even.

“We have the edge at second base with (Ron) Oester, who’s better defensively (than Steve Sax). At first base, with their youth (Greg Brock and Franklin Stubbs), they may have the edge. And behind the plate (Bo Diaz vs. Mike Scioscia), I think we’re pretty even.

Among the Reds’ new players, Kal Daniels is a “bona fide .300 hitter--he does things at the plate you can’t learn,” Parker said. And he calls Eric Davis, who has averaged 46 stolen bases in the last five seasons, a great offensive player.

“We can play with the Dodgers,” Parker said. “We’re a good club; they’re a good club.”