A onetime bodyguard for singer Tina Turner, Parrish was the Tigers’ sturdy catcher for nine years, and made the AL All-Star squad six times. He was converted from third base to catcher in his second year in the minors, and as a rookie in 1978 he platooned with Milt May in Detroit. Playing full-time in 1979, Parrish hit .276 with 19 HR and 65 RBI, but was struggling defensively. He had an outstanding throwing arm but committed 21 passed balls to lead the AL. In 1980 Parrish widened his batting stance and flattened his swing to produce an All-Star year (.286, 24 HR, 82 RBI), and in 1982 he broke Yogi Berra‘s AL record for HR by a catcher with 32 (Carlton Fisk broke his record the following year). Defensively, Parrish improved enough to win three straight Gold Gloves (1983-85). Back problems plagued him in 1985-86, and in 1987 he signed with the Phillies as a free agent. He never adjusted to the NL, however, and after two subpar seasons he began 1989 as Bob Boone’s successor with the Angels.
