All-star Catcher and 1980 Champion Bob Boone Dies at 78

WHO:

MLB.com - Robert Raymond Boone, known as Bob Boone, was a catcher, manager and baseball executive; he died at age 78, according to MLB.com.

MLB.com - Boone was the son of major leaguer Ray Boone and Patsy Boone, husband of Susan, and father of Aaron, Bret and Matthew Boone. His sons Bret and Aaron also played in the major leagues.

MLB.com - The article identifies Boone as a fifth-great-grandson of Daniel Boone.

IJR - Boone was a seven-time Gold Glove catcher, a 1980 Phillies champion and the father of Yankees manager Aaron Boone.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Boone played 19 major-league seasons, earned seven Gold Gloves and was selected to four All-Star Games. He ranked third in career games caught, with 2,225, behind Iván Rodríguez (2,427) and Carlton Fisk (2,226).

MLB.com - The Phillies selected Boone in the sixth round of the 1969 Draft. Originally drafted as a third baseman, he converted to catcher in the minor leagues.

MLB.com - Boone made his major-league debut in 1972, appearing in 16 games and batting .275 with one home run and four RBIs. He later became Philadelphia’s starting catcher and finished third in 1973 National League Rookie of the Year voting.

MLB.com - With Boone catching, Philadelphia won three consecutive division titles and the 1980 World Series. He played for the Phillies, Angels and Royals, and later managed the Royals and Reds.

MLB.com - Boone’s managerial records were 181–206 with Kansas City and 190–238 with Cincinnati, for a combined 371–444 record (.455 winning percentage). He joined the Nationals’ front office and was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame.

MLB.com - The Angels said Boone was the franchise leader in games caught and won four Gold Gloves with the club, the most by an Angels catcher. The Yankees called his legacy “profound.”

WHERE:

MLB.com - Boone was born in San Diego, California, and attended Crawford High School and Stanford University.

WHEN:

MLB.com - Boone played for Philadelphia from 1972–81, the Angels from 1982–88 and Kansas City from 1989–90. He managed the Royals from 1995–97 and the Reds from 2001–03.

MLB.com - Boone caught Mike Witt’s perfect game in 1984 and retired after the 1990 season.

WHY:

MLB.com - The Angels credited Boone’s leadership, defense and knowledge of baseball with helping the club win two division titles.

HOW:

MLB.com - Boone’s long career included at least 119 games played in seven of his nine seasons as Philadelphia’s starting catcher.

Bob Boone, a seven-time Gold Glove catcher and 1980 Phillies champion, has died at 78. He played 19 major-league seasons and made four All-Star teams. Boone later managed and was father of Yankees manager Aaron Boone.