Dave Parker, a hard-hitting outfielder who was set to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame next month, has died, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced Saturday.

Parker, a towering outfielder who helped propel the Pirates to the World Series in 1979, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame last year.

The sports world was saddened to hear the news of the passing of baseball legend Dave Parker on Saturday afternoon. Parker had a storied career in Major League Baseball that spanned 19 years, but his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates was of course the most notable of his career.