Ultimate Mets Database - Memories of Harry Parker

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Harry Parker
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Memories of
Harry Parker

Harry Parker
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 226 of 1252 players

Harry William Parker
Born: September 14, 1947 at Highland, Ill.
Died: May 28, 2012 at Richmond, Va.
Throws: Right Bats: Right
Height: 6.03 Weight: 190

Harry Parker was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on August 28, 2012, August 29, 2012, August 30, 2012, September 1, 2012, September 14, 2020, and September 22, 2024.

First Mets game: April 15, 1973
Last Mets game: July 30, 1975

Share your memories of Harry Parker

HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY:

shoeman
I saw Harry outside Shea Stadium before an Old-Timers game in the early 1980s, I think 1983. I got his autograph.

Mr. Sparkle
I was there to see his first career complete game. I think it was in 74. I thought that was the beginning of something great. Apparently I was wrong.

Chris
September 7, 2001
I saw that first complete game too on TV. It was a pitcher's duel against Carl Morton of the Braves. Mets won. One of the first baseball games I ever saw, Parker was my hero for a short time after that but unfortunately he didn't normally pitch that well & kind of faded into obscurity.

RenoMarkster
February 21, 2002
I was at game 4 of the '73 playoffs. I was crouching in the aisles behind the Mets dugout during extra innings, ready to storm the field when the Mets clinched it. Harry served up the homer to Pete Rose in the 14th and the Mets clinched the next day.

jeff warsaw
July 5, 2002
Harry is legendary in my home because my dad hated him as a Met. He thinks he was the worst. Anytime some pitcher of today doesn't do well, he says he's the next Harry Parker. I however liked him as a little kid and the fact that his name is still brought up around the house says something!

Ken Akerman
April 16, 2003
Some of the respondents here said they saw Harry Parker pitch a complete game against the Braves in 1974, but it appears that Parker never pitched a complete game against the Braves while with the Mets. Reading the box scores, it appears his best start against the Braves was on June 12, 1974, at Atlanta- Fulton County Stadium. He lost 1-0, pitching 7.1 innings. Carl Morton pitched a complete-game six-hit shutout to earn the victory for the Braves.

Bob P
April 23, 2003
Harry's complete game in 1974 (and the only one of his career in 30 starts) was on August 12, 1974 at Shea against the soon-to-be NL Champion Dodgers.
Parker started the game against Andy Messersmith, who came in with a 13-3 record. The Mets got two in the bottom of the first on a single by Rusty and a sac fly by Eddie Kranepool. The Dodgers cut it to 2-1 on a 5th inning RBI single by Davey Lopes, but John Milner hit his 18th homer in the bottom of the 6th to give the Mets their two run lead again.
Parker gave up 9 hits: six singles and three doubles. (Willie Crawford had 3 hits, and there were two each by Lopes and Bill Russell). He walked one and struck out two. The game was over in an hour and fifty-two minutes. Steve Trachsel was not in the building.
The win "raised" Parker's record to 4-10, and he finished the year 4-12 for a team that went 71-91. Two of those wins were in back-to-back starts in early July.

Barry
May 21, 2003
I was at that game where Harry Parker pitched a complete game against the Dodgers. I was nine years old. I remember Parker faced Andy Messersmith and I remember the Mets winning it 3-1. I had forgotten most of the details though. Thanks Bob P. for bringing them back.

Frank Grimes
May 27, 2003
Harry's game against Carl Morton and the Braves he pitched 7.1 innings and lost. It was however a pitcher's duel 1-0. It's funny how our memories plays tricks on us.

Vito
September 4, 2003
Not a terrible pitcher (although not a good one). My biggest memory of Harry Parker is that he looked kind of like Lurch. He was just plain ugly.

Kiwiwriter
September 24, 2004
I can't remember if Pete Rose and Bud Harrelson had their big fight in Game 4 of the 1973 NLCS, but I remember Pete Rose smacking that home run off Parker, which made me hate the Reds.
As for Harry: tough thing to be remembered for. Him and Tracy Stallard, Ralph Branca, Jack Fisher, Al Downing, Mark Littell, Mike Torrez. All members of the fatal dingers club.

Mitch45
August 5, 2005
I remember two things about Harry Parker:
1) The gap in his teeth; 2) His inability to hit at all, even to bunt.

Jack Pesserilo
June 4, 2009
Parker was know as a staff saver. He was able to start and relieve.If I recall correctly he also saved a few games when Tug Mcgraw was in a terrible slump.Today that is unheard of. The best thing about Harry was that he saved his career year for the pennant bound 73 METS.

VIBaseball
October 19, 2011
I'd forgotten until reading something else about the '73 Series lately that Parker lost one of those games in extra innings. He walked Ted Kubiak (not a heavy hitter), who came around to score.
But what I want to look back and see is why the Mets gave up Jim Bibby in that deal. I guess they thought they were rich enough in pitching, but Bibby had a very good career.

dan
October 19, 2011
I used to shoot basketball with Harry at our local park in Houston. (1990-91, I believe.) He worked for Shell Oil at the time. A great guy; it was fun just shooting jumpers and talking 70s baseball. Harry, if you're reading this out there I hope all is well with you, my friend!

Bob Sievert
May 29, 2012
Thought I'd share that Harry passed away yesterday. He worked for the Commonwealth of Virginia as a programmer for about 9 years. He was a gentle soul and dedicated to his team, willing to do anything for anyone. He is already sorely missed. Rest well Harry.

Metsmind
August 30, 2012
I just found out that Harry had passed away this past spring. What a job he did for the 73 Mets, taking a starting role early and getting out to a 5-0 record before the moved him to the bullpen where he was very steady, recording 3 saves in July. A role player whose only success in the majors came in that one magical season, he is a classic example of why that team, with Staub, Millan, Mays and that awesome pitching staff still rings as one of our most endearing despite falling short in the World Series.

penaltykiller9
September 2, 2012
RIP Harry. The Mets would not have won the pennant without you in1973

Diane Hadfield Miller
September 2, 2012
Harry was a high school classmate of mine. He was an outstanding basketball player at Collinsville High School and on the State championship team of 1965. He was of course a great baseball player. We will miss him.

Steve Eyman
January 4, 2013
I also went to high school with Harry. Played against him in Kourey League and then with him on HS team. He had a blazing fast ball that I couldn't hit or many others for that matter. Fast forward to '73 and I happened to be in San Francisco and walked up to the park in Oakland and got a ticket to game seven. As I remember Harry came in to relieve (I didn't even know he was on the Mets!) Don't remember how he pitched as A's won 5-2 but it was a thrill to see him pitch in a Series game seven. Rest Easy Harry.

Nicholas Birns
April 12, 2013
He had a wonderful year in '73 and was a key part of a legendary team. He was able to start and relieve, for short stints and long stints. He was clearly popular among his fellow players. Very sorry to hear of his passing.

Gerry Thornton
August 6, 2013
I knew Harry well from 65-69 when we attended the University of Illinois together. I used to work out with him in the spring before he would join the Cardinal's farm team. He was a great guy. We took a lot of Spanish classes together. I am so saddened to hear of his passing.

Altaf
August 11, 2015
I worked with Harry Parker for a few years in the 1980's. He was friendly, gentle and always ready for a good laugh -- a good man and a friend. RIP Harry; good memories of you still remain.

Deborah B
October 30, 2020
I met Harry in the late 60's when he played minor league baseball for Modesto Reds, farm club for St. Louis Cardinals. I considered Harry as a great and true friend. I will always carry special memories of Harry in my heart.

Anastasia Parker
October 2, 2021
My father was the greatest and the most gentle soul. Being adopted by Mr and Mrs Parker back in 01. He wasn't playing baseball. He was working for Virginia gov and I tell you something: I got stories after stories about my dad that would melt your heart. Losing my dad in 2012, getting that phone call from mom telling me Daddie died. Oh boy, it really broke my heart and I went thru some dark moments of my life after losing him. I miss you Daddie and I will always love you. The whole family misses you.