[PAR] [TLE] Monroe Pirates [SEP] The Monroe Pirates were a minor league baseball team, based in Monroe, North Carolina, in 1971.  The team was the city's second team in the Western Carolinas League, after the Monroe Indians left for Sumter, South Carolina in 1970.  The club was a class-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates and went on to produce the notable major league careers, of Dave Parker, Ed Ott, Tony Armas and Mario Mendoza. [PAR] [TLE] Dave Parker [SEP] David Gene Parker (born June 9, 1951), nicknamed "The Cobra", is an American former player in Major League Baseball.  He was the 1978 National League MVP and a two-time batting champion.  Parker was the first professional athlete to earn an average of one million dollars per year, having signed a five-year, $5 million contract in January 1979.  Parker's career achievements include 2712 hits, 339 home runs, 1493 runs batted in and a lifetime batting average of .290.  Parker was also known as a solid defensive outfielder during the first half of his career, with a powerful arm, winning three consecutive Gold Gloves during his prime.  From 1975 to 1979, he threw out 72 runners, including 26 in 1977.
[PAR] [TLE] Monroe Pirates [ SEP ] The Monroe Pirates were a minor league baseball team , based in Monroe , North Carolina , in 1971 . The team was the city 's second team in the Western Carolinas League , after the Monroe Indians left for Sumter , South Carolina in 1970 . The club was a class - A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates and went on to produce the notable major league careers , of Dave Parker , Ed Ott , Tony Armas and Mario Mendoza . [PAR] [TLE] Dave Parker [ SEP ] David Gene Parker ( born June 9 , 1951 ) , nicknamed " The Cobra " , is an American former player in Major League Baseball . He was the 1978 National League MVP and a two - time batting champion . Parker was the first professional athlete to earn an average of one million dollars per year , having signed a five - year , $ 5 million contract in January 1979 . Parker 's career achievements include 2712 hits , 339 home runs , 1493 runs batted in and a lifetime batting average of .290 . Parker was also known as a solid defensive outfielder during the first half of his career , with a powerful arm , winning three consecutive Gold Gloves during his prime . From 1975 to 1979 , he threw out 72 runners , including 26 in 1977 .
What was the nickname of the 1978 National League MVP and a two-time batting champion, who started off in a minor league baseball team, based in Monroe, North Carolina?
What was the nickname of the 1978 National League MVP and a two - time batting champion , who started off in a minor league baseball team , based in Monroe , North Carolina ?
The Cobra
The Cobra