3 former Cincinnati Reds players who deserve more love from the Hall of Fame

2. Dave Parker, Reds outfielder

I'm still at a loss as to why Dave Parker is not in the Hall of Fame. The former MVP spent just four years in his hometown of Cincinnati, but The Cobra deserves to have a plaque in Cooperstown. Parker was among the finalists on the Modern Baseball Era ballot in 2020, but fell short.

The Pittsburgh drug trials undoubtedly cast a shadow over Parker's candidacy, but Parker's on-the-field credentials speak for themselves. Parker won the MVP in 1978 while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Parker took home two batting titles, won three consecutive Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and was a seven-time All-Star.

Dave Parker became just the second athlete to sign a contract worth $1M when he signed a five-year/$5M contract in 1979. Parker helped lead the Pirates to a World Series title that season. In the early 1980s, however, weight problems, injuries, and drug use halted what could have been a tremendous career.

Parker righted the ship in 1985 after signing with the Cincinnati Reds the previous year. The Cobra looked like his old self, leading the league in doubles and RBIs in 1985 while posting a ridiculous .916 OPS. Parker also hit a career-high 34 homers that year with the Redlegs.