When early baseball history was being made, this 5’5″ Maine native with a bemused look and pouty smile was often around. In the first WS (1903), he was the winning Boston team’s shortstop, and was the last surviving participant. When Yankee Jack Chesbro threw his famous wild pitch on the last day of the 1904 season to blow the pennant, Parent was the batter. His fine defensive plays saved four no-hitters, including Cy Young‘s perfect game. Parent’s solid hitting, running, and fielding made him a popular hero in Boston. Parent denied three pitchers no-hitters when he got his club’s only hits. He provided the dramatic conclusion for Frank Smith’s no-hitter when, refusing to accept an intentional walk, he reached out to drive in the game’s only run in the bottom of the ninth.
