Seven-time Gold Glove-winning catcher and former major league manager Bob Boone, who played seven seasons with the Angels, was a member of the Philadelphia Phillies’ first World Series championship team in 1980 and part of baseball’s first three-generation family, has died. He was 78.
Boone’s son, Bret, announced his father’s death Tuesday on social media. The Phillies said in a statement Boone died Monday. No cause of death was announced.
“He was a man of great integrity. He was a great dad, husband, and patriarch. It was a privilege to call him my father. Baseball lost a great one today,” Bret Boone wrote.
Bob Boone, a four-time All-Star, spent the first
Bob Boone, a four-time All-Star, spent the first 10 of his 19 MLB seasons with the Phillies before joining the California Angels prior to the 1982 season. He was with the Kansas City Royals for two seasons to close out his playing career in which he appeared in 2,264 games. He went on to manage the Royals and Cincinnati Reds.
With the Angels, he won four of his Gold Glove awards and set franchise marks in games (961) and innings (8,008 1/3 innings) caught. He helped the Angels win American League West titles in 1982 and 1986 and was an AL All-Star in 1983.
“The Angels join the baseball community in mourning the passing of Bob Boone,” the Angels said in a statement. “Boone’s leadership, exceptional defense and knowledge of the game made him an invaluable presence behind the plate. His impact on our pitchers and the example he set for his teammates are lasting parts of his legacy with our franchise. Bob was part of a remarkable baseball family. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Boone family.”
Boone’s father, Ray, played 13 seasons
Boone’s father, Ray, played 13 seasons in the majors and was a two-time All-Star with the Detroit Tigers. Bob Boone’s two sons both enjoyed long baseball careers. Aaron Boone played 13 seasons in the majors and played for the Reds when Bob managed the team. Aaron now manages the New York Yankees. Bret Boone was a three-time All-Star over a 14-year career spent largely with the Seattle Mariners. A third son played in the minor leagues. Bret’s son, Jake Boone, works in the New York Mets’ front office after playing at Princeton and briefly in the minors.
After starring at Crawford High in San Diego, Bob Boone was a sixth-round draft pick by the Phillies as a third baseman out of Stanford in 1969. He was converted to catcher in the minor leagues and caught 1,095 games with Philadelphia, second on the Phillies’ all-time list to Red Dooin (1,124). Boone caught 2,225 games overall in the big leagues to rank third behind Ivan Rodriguez (2,427) and Carlton Fisk (2,226). He was 41 years old when he won his final Gold Glove with the Royals in 1989.
“Bob was an incredible player, teammate and family man. He embodied everything we believe exemplary athletes should represent, both on and off the field,” the Phillies said in a statement. “We were proud to have him as part of the Phillies family during one of the most historic runs in team history. His impact on our organization, his teammates, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him will never be forgotten.”
Boone caught the final out of the 1980
Boone caught the final out of the 1980 Game 6 clincher when Tug McGraw struck out Willie Wilson to win the World Series. Boone was involved in a more famous play earlier in that inning when he ran after Frank White’s foul pop near the home dugout in Veterans Stadium. The ball bounced off Boone’s mitt and straight into Pete Rose’s glove for an out — a catch played on countless highlight reels through the decades in Philadelphia.
Boone was added to the Phillies’ Wall of Fame in 2005.
“I grew up watching Bob with the great Phillies teams of the 70’s. His play and mastery of catching inspired me to want to play the position,” Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza posted on social media.
Boone went 371-444 overall as a manager, spending three seasons with the Royals and three with the Reds. He joined the Washington Nationals’ front office in 2005 and resigned in 2021 rather than comply with the organization’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
