This Dodgers Gold Glover Never Lost His Midas Touch

Wes Parker, right, greets Bert Grose at Braille Institute in L.A.,
where Parker, 67, teaches a sports class. He’s always been generous

with his time; in his playing days he hit fly balls to kids in the

Dodger Stadium parking lot after Sunday games.
(Gary Friedman / LAT)

By Jerry Crowe

Times Staff Writer

May 21, 2007

If you were one of the lucky kids befriended by Wes Parker in the early 1970s, when the Dodgers first baseman regularly hit fly balls to youngsters in the Dodger Stadium parking lot after Sunday home games, you probably won't be surprised to learn that Parker these days is a volunteer at the Braille Institute.

And if you are one of the sightless men and women who sometimes stand and applaud at the end of Parker's weekly sports class at Braille, you're probably not surprised to learn that, even back then, he was generous with his time.

Or, as class regular Alfredo Crispo puts it, "Wes Parker is awesome.

"Not at all, Parker says.

The 67-year-old former ballplayer and television actor — fans of "The Brady Bunch" may remember him from an episode in which he played the fiance of Greg Brady's math teacher — says he takes from these interactions as much as he gives.

That's why, when reporters back in the day asked about his Sunday afternoon routine, he pleaded with them not to write about it, lest it become overrun.

He didn't want it to end.

Read the rest of the article here