PITTSBURGH — Their bellies a bit bigger and their hair a bit more gray, former Pittsburgh Pirates greats Dave Parker and Bill Madlock were back in uniform Sunday night.

Both took part in the celebrity softball game at PNCPark. Both also were two of the most consistent hitters of their era.

For the decade of the 1970s, in fact, Madlock (.320) and Parker (.317) stand one-two in career batting averages among National Leaguers.

But neither was focused on the past Sunday. Both talked about the future, about the Pirates and the Hall of Fame.

Madlock said the Pirates should consider bringing back members of their 1979 championship team to coach the current squad.

"I don't mean to be critical of the manager and coaches who are here now — I don't even know those guys,"Madlock said. "I just think the franchise should feed off some of its tradition.

"We've been there. We've won in this uniform, and we care about the guys wearing this uniform."

Madlock doesn't care which former players return to the team. He just thinks 14 consecutive years of losing is enough.

"You can take your pick,"he said. "I know a lot of guys from that 1979 team are involved in coaching in the big leagues or managing (in the minors) right now," he said.

Parker said the Pirates might have to change their style of play to win.

"If you can't compete in payroll, you find other ways,"He said. "Develop from within and change the way you play the game. Build a defensive team and play small ball, manufacture runs and win that way.

"But, at some point, you have to go out and spend some money to get over the top."

When it comes to the Hall of Fame, Parker said he believes his numbers should have already put him over the top.

At 6-foot-5, he is the tallest man ever to win a batting title. His career numbers include 2,712 hits, 526 doubles, 339 home runs, 154 stolen bases and a .290 batting average.

"Those numbers compare favorably with guys who are already in there,"Parker said. "They put in who they want to. As each year goes by, I care about it less and less.

"Right now, I'm just happy to be breathing and vertical."

During his 18-year playing career, Parker led the National League in runs, doubles, RBIand slugging percentage during different seasons. He won two batting titles, played for two World Series championship teams, was named National League MVPand All-Star Game MVP.

"I won pretty much all the awards I could win,"he said, shaking his head. "I don't know what more I could have done."

Madlock agreed that Parker belongs in the Hall of Fame. They both said relief ace Rich "Goose"Gossage belongs there as well.

"There are a number of players from our era who belong in Cooperstown and may never get there,"Madlock said. "It seems like they keep changing the criteria. What's good for guys from one era isn't good for guys from another."

Madlock won four batting titles in his career and amassed 2,008 career hits.

While not a Hall of Famer himself, memories of his playing days are enough to satisfy him.

"Hey, I won a World Series here and you bond with guys when you do that,"Madlock said. "Every single guy on that team misses Willie Stargell, I can guarantee you that.

"I went 4-for-4 on the last day of a season to win the batting title. That's high on my list, too."