Wed Jul 16 02:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:

**Headline: Remembering “The Cobra”: Dave Parker’s 1985 Home Run Derby Victory Marked Baseball History**

**Minneapolis, MN** – Forty years ago, baseball history was made at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, as Dave “The Cobra” Parker, then a Cincinnati Reds outfielder, claimed the crown at the inaugural Home Run Derby. The event, which pitted five players from each league against each other in a long-ball contest, saw Parker launch six home runs over the right-field wall of the stadium.

In the 1985 format, batters received two rounds of five outs each to rack up their home run totals. Despite the American League outperforming the National League overall, it was Parker’s left-handed swing that dominated the competition.

Already a star, with five All-Star selections and an MVP award earned with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1978, Parker was in the midst of a power surge during his time with the Reds. While he averaged 15 home runs per season in Pittsburgh, that number jumped to 27 during his four years in Cincinnati, making his derby victory in a Reds jersey all the more fitting.

While the Home Run Derby is now a televised event, Parker’s victory was witnessed only by the fans in attendance. Few people got to witness a star in the making.

Sadly, Parker passed away in June, preventing him from attending the festivities surrounding the 40th anniversary of the event and receiving further recognition for his contributions to the game. His passing also robs baseball fans of a link to the original event, making this year a time for remembrance rather than a victory lap for the legendary player. While his Hall of Fame candidacy has yet to be realized, Parker’s impact on baseball and his unforgettable 1985 Home Run Derby victory will continue to be celebrated.

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