On November 25, 1972, Wes Parker won his sixth consecutive National League Gold Glove Award as a reliable first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The stretch began in 1967 when Parker took home his first Gold Glove after posting a .996 fielding percentage at the position that season.
The nine-year MLB veteran recorded a .995 fielding percentage or better in the six straight years he won the Gold Glove Award. His best defensive showing came during the 1968 season, when he committed just one error in 114 games at first base.
Parker hit .279/.367/.354 with 14 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 59 RBI in 130 games during the 1972 season. In 120 games at first base, he tallied 1,074 putouts, 68 assists, 91 double plays turned and a .997 fielding percentage.
He is one of multiple first baseman in franchise history to win the award, which includes Gil Hodges, Steve Garvey and Adrián González.
Hodges won the first Gold Glove Award for the Dodgers in 1957, while González is, of course, their most recent winner at first base. Garvey previously won four consecutive Gold Gloves beginning in 1974 and running through 1977.
Roberto Clemente also won his 12th consecutive Gold Glove Award in right field as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates at the end of the 1972 season.
Clemente would tragically pass away in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve that year. Parker announced his retirement and became a color commentator for the Cincinnati Reds.
However, Parker resumed his professional career in 1974 when he signed a contract with the Nankai Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball. Parker won the Diamond Glove Award as the best defensive first baseman in what would be the final season of his career.
Parker is one of just four players to win a Gold Glove Award in MLB and the NPB’s equivalent.
Wes Parker career with Dodgers
Parker played all nine of his MLB seasons with the Dodgers and batted .267/.351/.375 with 194 doubles, 32 triples, 64 home runs and 470 RBI in 1,288 games. In addition to his six Gold Glove Awards, he was part of the Dodgers’ 1965 World Series team.
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