Bob Boone Dies at 78, Ending Era of First Three-Generation MLB Family
The former Phillies catcher and Gold Glove winner passed away Tuesday, leaving behind a lineage that included two major league managers.
By Kofi Costa ·
Bob Boone, the catcher who anchored the Philadelphia Phillies' first World Series victory and helped establish baseball's first three-generation professional family, has died. He was 78. His son, Bret, confirmed the news via social media on Tuesday without specifying a cause of death.
Boone spent his first 10 seasons with Philadelphia, playing seven years for the California Angels and two for the Kansas City Royals. He later managed the Royals and the Cincinnati Reds, compiling a professional managerial record of 371 wins and 444 losses. The Boone name became synonymous with the sport because three generations played at the highest levels.
His father, Ray, was a two-time All-Star who played 13 seasons for the Detroit Tigers. Bob's sons carried the legacy forward. Aaron Boone played 13 major league seasons and currently manages the New York Yankees. Bret Boone, a three-time All-Star, spent 14 years largely with the Seattle Mariners. A third son played in the minor leagues, and Bret's son, Jake, works in the New York Mets' front office after playing at Princeton.
On the field, Boone was defined by his defensive prowess and clutch hitting. He won seven Gold Gloves during his career. He became the first Phillies catcher to receive the award in 1978 and 1979. In 1980, he batted .412 in the World Series against the Kansas City Royals. That postseason featured two iconic moments involving Boone. He caught the final out of Game 6 when Tug McGraw struck out Willie Wilson. Earlier in the inning, he ran to the dugout to catch a foul pop, which bounced into Pete Rose's glove for the out.
Boone set the record for career games caught by a catcher with 1,919 while in Kansas City. He was 41 years old when he won his final Gold Glove with the Royals in 1989. Ivan Rodriguez and Carlton Fisk have since surpassed his record. He was inducted into the Phillies' Wall of Fame in 2005. After his playing and managing career, he joined the Washington Nationals' front office in 2005. He resigned in 2021 following the team's decision to enforce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Washington won its first World Series in 2019.
