Wes Parker

From BR Bullpen

Maurice Wesley Parker

Bats Both, Throws Left
Height 6' 1", Weight 180 lb.
School Claremont McKenna College
Debut April 19, 1964
Final Game October 1, 1972
Born November 13, 1939 in Evanston, IL USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Wes Parker was one of the best-fielding first basemen of his era, and some have said he was the best-fielding first baseman of the last 50 years.

Wes was "Mr. Steady" at first with the Dodgers from 1964 to 1972. A .267 hitter with occasional power, Parker also had better-than-average speed early in his career. Since he played during the second dead-ball era, his abilities were actually better than the batting average would make them seem; he was almost always an above-average hitter, with a peak in 1970 when he hit .319 with 111 RBI.

Released after the 1972 season to make room at first base for Bill Buckner, Parker went on to play one season for the Nankai Hawks in Japan in 1974 where he hit .301 with 14 home runs.

Wes was a Cincinnati Reds broadcaster in 1973. Like many Los Angeles ex-athletes, Parker has also had an acting career, with the Internet Movie Database showing him with 12 credits.

Named to the Rawlings All-Time Gold Glove Team in 2007.

With Jim Lefebvre (second base), Maury Wills (shortstop) and Jim Gilliam (third base), Parker was part of perhaps baseball's only all switch-hitting infield.