(Photo: Rick Stewart, Getty Images)
Cincinnati native Dave Parker was in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization at the same time as Baseball Hall of Famer inductee Roberto Clemente, making his toast even more memorable.
“Here’s to ‘E, the best I’ve ever seen,’” the Reds right fielder said, lifting a glass of champagne in honor of teammate Eric Davis.
The respect was understandable. Davis, who had turned just 25 years old a day earlier, and the Reds were celebrating an historic performance during Cincinnati’s 6-2 win over the Pirates at Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium on May 30, 1987.