[2] In 1910, he was living with his parents and brothers, Glen and Leon, in Greenbush Township, Clinton County, Michigan.

[3] Parks attended the University of Michigan, where he played college baseball for the Wolverines' Big Ten Conference championship teams of 1919 and 1920.

[5][6] A Chicago newspaper published a photograph of Parks playing for the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League under the name Harold Brooks.

[11] After leaving the Michigan team, Parks signed to play with Bill Niesen's Pyotts in April 1921 and with the Detroit Tigers starting July 1, 1921.

He played in the minor leagues for the Seattle Indians (1922), Syracuse Stars (1922–1925), Jersey City Skeeters (1926–1927), and seven other teams from 1926 to 1932.