Parker brings opinions to celebrity game
Wearing the black cap and bright yellow jersey once again, Dave Parker looked around PNC Park and smiled at the suggestion of playing there.
But not at the current state of the Pirates.
Before the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game Sunday night at PNC Park, Parker said the club needs to open its "purse strings" to end its 13-year losing streak and suggested the Pirates bring back former stars to help.
"They're going to have to pay more money to get guys," Parker said. "I think (opening) the purse strings is going to be key. They've got to compete with major markets."
The Pirates entered the All-Star break with a 30-60 record. It was the second time a famous former Pittsburgher publicly ripped the Pirates this season. Actor Michael Keaton told the Bucs to "write a check" before throwing out the first pitch at the home opener.
Parker and Bill Madlock were the only former Pirates to play -- Bill Mazeroski was an honorary coach -- in the Legends and Celebrity game. Although Parker said he has a good relationship with the Pirates, he suggested the club could reach out to its former greats for help.
"They need to bring back some of the alumni," Parker said. "I think so, when you got a Bill Madlock with (four) batting titles and a Dave Parker who won the MVP, played in three World Series and won two.
"That's what they do in Cincinnati, get the alumni to come back, get somebody involved who has a history with the organization."
Madlock doesn't think Parker meant it as a criticism, but rather a way for the remaining members of the 1979 World Series champions to pass along their experiences.
"I don't think he meant it as necessary ," Madlock said. "The former Pirates know how to win and can teach them how to win."
Madlock added that he has fond memories of playing in Pittsburgh and is pulling for the Pirates to reverse their fortunes.
"I'm always going to cheer for the Pirates," Madlock said. "The fans deserve a winner."
The National team was the big winner in the Celebrity and Legends game, beating the American team, 7-5, in five innings when comic Sarah Silverman grounded out to shortstop Ozzie Smith with the tying runs on first and third.
The Most Valuable Player trophy was presented to Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, who hit a home run to center field and made a spectacular catch in the outfield.
"It didn't look pretty," Carter said, "but, fortunately, it stayed in my glove."
Highlights of the game included a first-inning triple by actor Dean Cain and home runs by National manager John Kruk of ESPN's "Baseball Tonight," former Boston Red Sox star Fred Lynn and Hall of Fame outfielder Dave Winfield, who crushed a 300-foot line drive to left.
A celebrity home run derby followed, with each contestant getting 10 swings. Winfield hit five homers for the National team, while actor Dean Cain (two) and Hall of Fame pitcher Rollie Fingers (three) combined for five for the American team.
To settle the tiebreaker, each team picked one player to take three swings. In the first round, Andre Dawson hit two for the National, but Fred Lynn smacked his last two to tie him. That forced a second round, in which Kruk hit one for the National but sent two foul. Pitcher Goose Gossage then hit two consecutive home runs to win it for the American team.
"It's fun," said Dawson, a former All-Star outfielder with the Chicago Cubs and Montreal Expos. "Everybody out here was practically an All-Star at some time. You get a chance to see guys you played with and against.
"You get a chance to act like a little kid again. You just want to walk away with no muscle pulls."
