This morning, I read about the passing former MLB player, manager and executive Bob Boone at the age of 78.
Before I get into Boone's life and legacy, I would be remiss if I didn't mention what happened last night at the pool. As I was leaving, a fellow spoke about being a Philadelphia sports fan and that he was reared on Phillies baseball specifically citing Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt.
A few moments later I remarked, "Don't forget about Manny Trillo and Larry Bowa." To which he replied, "Not to mention Bob Boone and Greg Luzinski."
As it turns out, it was Luzinski who broke the news of Boone's passing.
Boone was part of three generations who played in MLB. Boone's father Ray played 13 seasons as an infielder with the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City A's, Milwaukee Braves and Boston Red Sox.
The elder Boone had his best seasons in Detroit where he was named to two AL All-Star Teams in 1954 and 1956 while leading the AL in RBI with 116 in 1955. He would spend the post-playing career as a scout for the Red Sox for more than 30 years. He passed away in 2004 at the age of 81.
Boone's sons Bret and Aaron also reached the big leagues. Bret played 14 seasons primarily with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds along with stints with the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres and Minnesota Twins. Like his grandfather, he would lead the AL in RBI when he drove in 141 runs for the Mariners in 2001 when they tied an MLB record with 116 regular season wins. Then there were four Gold Gloves for his play at second base. In 2025, Boone served as the hitting coach for the Texas Rangers.
Of course, Aaron is best known as the longtime manager of the New York Yankees who also gained infamy as a Yankee when his walk off HR off the late Tim Wakefield in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS earned the Bronx Bombers the AL pennant. Despite his Yankee notoriety, he played the bulk of his career with the Reds with stints with the Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals and Houston Astros over 12 seasons as an infielder.
So, what about Bob?
Unlike his father and sons, Bob Boone was a catcher and one of the greatest to ever don the tools of ignorance. Although it did not start out that way.
A San Diego native, Boone played baseball at Stanford University and was drafted by Philadelphia Phillies in the 6th round of the 1969 MLB Draft as a third baseman. But when the Phillies drafted Mike Schmidt two years later, the Phillies converted him into a catcher.
Boone would make his MLB debut as a September call up in 1972 and would be the team's number one catcher come 1973. That season, Boone finished third in NL Rookie of the Year balloting behind Montreal Expos pitcher Steve Rogers and San Francisco Giants outfielder Gary "Sarge" Matthews who would later become teammates with Boone in Philly.
Between 1976 and 1979, Boone was named to three NL All-Star Teams and won two Gold Gloves for his defense and would be a core part of a Phillies team which won three straight NL East pennants while always falling short in the NLCS against the Big Red Machine in 1976 and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977 and 1978. Although not a power hitter, Boone was a solid contact hitter generally batting in the .280s though when the Phillies won their first World Series in franchise history in 1980, Boone only hit .229 that season. However, Boone would hit .412 (7 for 17) and collected 4 RBI during the Fall Classic
However, Boone continue to struggle at the plate in 1981 and was in the doghouse for being the team's player rep during that season's strike. Following the season, the Phillies sold Boone's contract to the California Angels where he would spend the next seven seasons. The Angels would win the AL West in 1982 and 1986 but fell short in the ALCS against the Milwaukee Brewers and Boston Red Sox, respectively. Boone would earn an AL All-Star Team selection in 1983 and win four more Gold Gloves becoming the first and only catcher to win Gold Gloves in both leagues.
Boone spent his final two seasons with the Kansas City Royals winning his seventh and final Gold Glove behind the plate in 1989 at the age of 41 making him the oldest to ever win a Gold Glove at his position.
A broken finger would bring his career to abrupt end in 1990. Although he was 42, it is tantalizing to consider that Boone's career may have ended prematurely. Had he not been hurt perhaps a couple more Gold Gloves might have been in order.
As it stood, at the time his 19-year MLB career ended, Boone had caught 2295 games - more than any catcher in MLB history. Boone has since been passed by two Pudges - Carlton Fisk (2296) and Ivan Rodriguez (2427). His seven Gold Gloves rank behind only Rodriguez (13), Johnny Bench (10) and Yadier Molina (9).
Boone was on the BBWAA ballot between 1996 and 2000 never reaching double digits in the vote and fell off in 2000 when he received less than the 5% threshold. Let us consider that during his time with the Phillies in the 1970s and early 1980s, his contemporaries were Bench, Gary Carter and Ted Simmons. While he did not hit as well this trio, he was arguably the best defensive catcher of the four. Let us also consider that during his near decade in the AL, more than half of his Gold Gloves were bestowed upon him after the age of 38.
While Boone might not be a first ballot Hall of Famer, he certainly is worthy of more than a handful of votes.
In 1995, Boone would return to the Royals as the team's manager where he spent 2½ seasons before being replaced by Tony Muser. Boone would get a second chance to manage when he was hired to lead the Cincinnati Reds in 2001. As with the Royals, he was on the job for 2½ seasons before being dismissed in favor of Dave Miley. Boone did get to manage Aaron while with the Reds but would never enjoy a winning season as a skipper.
Boone would spend more than 15 years in the front office of the Washington Nationals and earn another World Series ring in 2019. However, Boone would leave the front office late in the 2021 season when he refused to be vaccinated against COVID. I remember being disappointed knowing that not being vaccinated was more important to him than continuing to be involved with baseball. It is too bad that his association with baseball could not have ended on a higher note.
My main memory of Bob Boone will be that he is one of the greatest catchers in MLB history, Hall of Fame plaque or no Hall of Fame plaque. R.I.P.
