When defense attorney grilled former Pirate Dave Parker over his role in 1985 drug scandal

Former Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Dave Parker testified in September 1985 that he introduced Shelby Greer to his former teammates in 1979.

Greer was an alleged cocaine dealer, so the testimony caused quite a stir, especially given the Pirates’ decline on the field.

As reported by the Washington Post in 1985, Parker was further questioned by defense attorney Adam Renfroe Jr.

"As a result of your introducing Shelby Greer, the players went from the world championship to the bottom of the National League, isn't that correct, Mr. Parker?"

Parker replied, "That's a pretty strong statement, sir. I don't carry that burden because I don't take responsibility. Those relationships are ones that adults conduct with one another."

After the Pirates defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the 1979 World Series, they traveled to Japan for a series of exhibition games. This is where Parker and Greer met. Greer was reportedly introduced by Parker to his Pirates teammates as a man dealing in petrol and oil ventures rather than as a cocaine dealer.

Players were found to have used amphetamines during the 1985 Pittsburgh drug trials, which made the national news daily. Dave Parker, a two-time World Series winner (1979, 1989) was competing for the Cincinnati Reds at the time of testimony.

Dave Parker admitted arranging drug deals for players on other teams

Parker said that he facilitated drug sales for players on other teams, such as Steve Howe, Dusty Baker, J.R. Richard, and Derrell Thomas. This was in addition to helping his former Pittsburgh Pirates colleagues get cocaine. Furthermore, Parker acknowledged using cocaine himself between 1976 and 1982.

"It came to a point Shelby was selling directly in front of the park after games," Parker said. "I introduced Shelby Greer to the whole team."

Alongside Keith Hernandez, Joaquin Andujar, Lonnie Smith, Enos Cabell, Jeff Leonard, and Dale Berra, Parker was subject to a conditional one-year suspension (for the 1987 campaign). However, the penalties were shortened in exchange for their willingness to submit to random drug testing, time served, and donation of 10% of their basic pay to drug-related community services.

Dave Parker stopped using cocaine in 1982 without rehabilitation or treatment:

"It was a preference thing. I felt my game was slipping and I felt that was part of it," he said.

"I felt my game was more important than cocaine. I have a daughter and I felt she was more important to me than cocaine. I wanted to get married, and that was more important to me than cocaine. It was a matter of priorities in my case."

The 1985 drug scandal marred the MLB success of the Pittsburgh Pirates. After the incident, the team endured a protracted run of losing seasons despite having won the World Series in 1979. The Pirates did not enjoy success again until 2013, when they made the MLB playoffs for the first time since 1992.