Harry Parker – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Harry William Parker wrapped up his major league baseball career in 1976, after pitching right-handed for six seasons. Born in Highland, Illinois, Parker left his mark on professional baseball in the 1970s, suiting up for three different teams before calling it quits at just 29.

Parker played his last MLB game for the Cleveland Indians against the New York Yankees on September 14, 1976, which happened to be his 29th birthday. The 6-foot-3 pitcher finished with a 15-21 record and a 3.85 earned run average over 128 games. His retirement ended a journey that took him from the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Mets, and finally to Cleveland.

Sure, Parker’s career stats might not blow anyone away, but his role on the 1973 New York Mets pennant-winning squad stands out. That year, he went 8-4 with a 3.35 ERA, helping the Mets reach both the National League Championship Series and the World Series. His story gives a glimpse into the life of a solid big-league pitcher who tasted both the thrill of postseason play and the grind of pro sports.

Early Life and Background

Harry William Parker was born on September 14, 1947, in Highland, Illinois. He grew up in a baseball-loving family with deep roots in the Prairie State.

His early years in Illinois shaped his character and athletic drive. Parker’s standout performances at Collinsville High School eventually caught the eyes of Major League scouts.

Family Origins

Harry Parker came from a baseball family with strong Illinois ties. His brother, Jack Parker, also chased a pro baseball dream, playing as an infielder in the Cleveland Indians’ minor league system.

The Parkers set down roots in Highland, Illinois. That small town really helped fuel Harry’s early love for the game.

Details about his parents are pretty sparse in public records. Still, their support for both Harry and Jack’s baseball ambitions shows how much the family valued the sport.

That encouragement played a huge role in Harry’s growth as an athlete.

Growing Up in Illinois

Harry Parker spent his childhood in Highland, Illinois. That’s where he first fell in love with baseball.

The small-town setting gave him plenty of chances to work on his skills at local ballfields.

Illinois boasted a lively baseball scene in the 1950s and early 1960s. Parker took full advantage, playing in youth leagues and building the fundamentals that would carry him forward.

Moving from Highland to nearby Collinsville for high school was a big step for him. It let him compete at a higher level and get noticed by college and pro scouts.

High School Baseball at Collinsville

Parker attended Collinsville High School in Collinsville, Illinois, and quickly made a name for himself as a pitcher. His performances during his senior year drew the attention of Major League scouts.

The St. Louis Cardinals saw his potential and drafted him in the fourth round of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft. They picked him straight out of high school, which says a lot about his talent at that age.

Standing 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 190 pounds, Parker had the size scouts wanted in a pitcher. His right-handed throw and natural ability made him a strong pro prospect.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Harry Parker pitched in the majors from 1970 to 1976, ending up with a 15-21 record and a 3.85 ERA over 128 games. His best season came in 1973, when he helped the New York Mets reach the World Series with an 8-4 record and a 3.35 ERA.

Major League Baseball Debut

Parker broke into the big leagues on August 8, 1970, with the St. Louis Cardinals at age 22. The Cardinals had drafted him in the fourth round of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft.

He spent his first two seasons with St. Louis, from 1970 to 1971. During that time, Parker started to carve out a spot as a dependable pitcher in their system.

The Cardinals traded Parker, along with Jim Beauchamp, Chuck Taylor, and Chip Coulter, to the New York Mets on October 18, 1971. In return, St. Louis got Art Shamsky, Jim Bibby, Rich Folkers, and Charlie Hudson.

Performance Highlights

Parker’s best season came in 1973 with the New York Mets. He put up an 8-4 record, a 3.35 ERA, and struck out 63 batters in 96⅔ innings.

His strong showing helped the Mets win the National League pennant that year. Parker became a key piece during their postseason run.

He pitched in both the National League Championship Series and the World Series in 1973. Parker took the mound once in the NLCS against the Cincinnati Reds and three times in the World Series against the Oakland Athletics.

In a tough break, Parker lost both postseason decisions. In Game 4 of the NLCS, he gave up a twelfth-inning solo home run to Pete Rose that ended the game for Cincinnati.

Career Stats and Records

Here’s how Parker finished his MLB career:

Parker played for three teams: St. Louis Cardinals (1970-1971), New York Mets (1973-1975), and Cleveland Indians (1976). He missed the entire 1972 season.

Physical attributes: Parker stood 6’3″ and weighed 190 pounds. He batted and threw right-handed.

His last MLB appearance came on September 14, 1976, with the Cleveland Indians. Arm injuries started to catch up with him, and that played a big part in his decision to retire after 1976.

Years with the St. Louis Cardinals

Harry Parker started his MLB journey with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970 and stayed with them through 1971. The Cardinals drafted him in the fourth round in 1965 and helped him develop in their minor league system before his major league debut.

MLB Debut with St. Louis

Parker made his big league debut on August 8, 1970, for the Cardinals at age 22. He had worked his way up through the minors after being drafted out of Collinsville High School.

He spent five years in the Cardinals’ farm system before finally getting his shot. Parker’s debut came during the 1970 season as the Cardinals tried out new arms for their pitching rotation.

The Cardinals picked Parker 73rd overall in 1965. He climbed through several minor league teams, learning the ropes as a pitcher.

Role and Achievements

Parker pitched for the Cardinals in 1970 and 1971. He batted and threw right-handed, standing 6’3″ and weighing 190 pounds.

During his time with St. Louis, Parker worked to prove himself as a reliable pitcher on their staff. The Cardinals gave him opportunities as they looked for young talent.

His time in St. Louis gave him the experience he needed for later success elsewhere.

Return to St. Louis in Later Career

After 1971, Parker didn’t return to the Cardinals. They traded him, along with Jim Beauchamp, Chuck Taylor, and Chip Coulter, to the New York Mets on October 18, 1971.

That deal sent Art Shamsky, Jim Bibby, Rich Folkers, and Charlie Hudson to St. Louis. It closed the book on Parker’s time with the Cardinals.

He went on to play for the Mets and the Cleveland Indians, but St. Louis remained just the beginning of his MLB story.

Impact with the New York Mets

Harry Parker made his biggest impact during his three seasons with the New York Mets, from 1973 to 1975. He played a crucial role in their 1973 pennant run and pitched in the World Series against the Oakland Athletics.

Joining the Mets Through Trade

Parker landed in New York thanks to a big eight-player trade in October 1971. The Cardinals sent Parker, Jim Beauchamp, Chip Coulter, and Chuck Taylor to the Mets, who gave up Art Shamsky, Jim Bibby, Rich Folkers, and Charlie Hudson.

That trade turned out well for Parker and the Mets. After limited chances in St. Louis, Parker found more time on the mound in New York’s rotation and bullpen.

He joined a team that would soon make an unlikely run to the World Series. Parker’s arrival lined up with the Mets’ efforts to rebuild after their 1969 championship.

Key Role in the 1973 Pennant Race

Parker stepped up during the Mets’ surprising 1973 National League pennant chase. He posted an 8-4 record and a 3.35 ERA in 38 games, becoming a steady arm for the staff.

His pitching helped anchor a Mets team that fought through early struggles to win the NL East. Parker’s ability to start or relieve gave manager Yogi Berra some much-needed options.

That 3.35 ERA was one of the better marks among Mets pitchers. His eight wins were a big part of the team’s 82-79 finish, which somehow clinched the division.

Parker’s versatility really mattered in the stretch run. He made nine starts and also came out of the bullpen, doing whatever the team needed.

Postseason Performances

Parker pitched in three games during the 1973 World Series against the Oakland Athletics. Despite a solid regular season, he ran into trouble in the postseason spotlight.

He actually took a loss in the World Series without giving up an earned run. It’s one of those weird baseball quirks that stands out in his postseason experience.

That World Series marked the high point of Parker’s MLB career. The Mets lost in seven games, but his role in their pennant run was still pretty important.

His postseason outings didn’t match his regular season steadiness. It goes to show how tough pitching can be when the stakes are highest.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1976

Harry Parker closed out his Major League Baseball career with the Cleveland Indians in 1976, pitching just three games before stepping away for good. That final season wrapped up a six-year MLB journey that started with the Cardinals in 1970.

Brief Stint with the Cleveland Indians

Parker joined the Cleveland Indians for his last MLB season in 1976. The 28-year-old pitched only three times for the team, all as a reliever.

He put up flawless numbers in Cleveland. Parker threw 7.0 innings without giving up a single earned run, ending with a 0.00 ERA.

In those three games, he allowed just three hits and struck out five. He didn’t walk anyone, showing pinpoint control in his final MLB work.

His last outing came on September 14, 1976, also his 29th birthday. Parker tossed three innings against the Yankees, gave up three hits, struck out two, and didn’t allow a run.

Transition Out of Major League Baseball

After those three games with Cleveland, Parker’s MLB days were over. He finished his six-year career with a 15-21 record across 124 games.

He pitched 315.1 innings with a 3.85 ERA, tallying 172 strikeouts and 12 saves in the majors.

Most of his career highlights came with the New York Mets between 1973 and 1975. His move to Cleveland was one last shot to stay in the game.

Parker retired at 29, closing the book on a career that spanned parts of six seasons. He played for the Cardinals, Mets, and Indians.

Personal Life and Legacy

Harry William Parker spent his post-baseball years quietly. After his career ended, he returned to his roots, then eventually settled down in Richmond, Virginia. Those last years in Richmond seemed peaceful, away from the spotlight.

He passed away in 2012. That really marked the close of a life that, in a lot of ways, showed both the hope and the tough breaks that came with playing professional baseball in the 1970s.

Life After Baseball

Parker walked away from professional baseball after the 1976 season with the Cleveland Indians. Arm injuries kept bothering him during those final years, and that pretty much forced his decision to retire.

Once he left baseball, Parker kept to himself. He chose Richmond, Virginia, as his home for many years. While some ex-players got into coaching or broadcasting, Parker just stayed out of the public eye.

People don’t know much about what he did for work after baseball. He didn’t chase after big jobs in the baseball world. That really fit his quiet personality and his wish for privacy once his playing days ended.

Death and Remembrance

Parker died on May 29, 2012, in Richmond, Virginia, at age 64. News about his passing didn’t come out right away, but eventually baseball databases and fan sites picked up the story.

Most folks in the baseball community remember Parker for what he did during the New York Mets’ 1973 pennant run. That season, he went 8-4 with a 3.35 ERA, and honestly, that was the best stretch of his big league career.

Baseball historians sometimes say Parker’s career ended up representing players whose early promise never quite turned into stardom. Still, what he did for the 1973 Mets earned him a spot in the team’s history.

Contributions to Baseball Community

Parker’s baseball legacy really centers on what he did during the 1973 season.

He played a huge role in the Mets’ unexpected National League pennant run that year.

In 1973, Parker pitched 96⅔ innings and helped keep the Mets’ pitching staff steady. He took the mound in both the National League Championship Series and the World Series, picking up some hard-earned postseason experience.

Sure, his major league record ended up at 15-21, but that one standout season showed what he could do. If anything, his journey makes you think about just how tough it is for most players to hang on at baseball’s highest level.