Bob Boone (Baseball Catcher and Manager), Former Stanford Star, Dies

Bob Boone was a major league catcher known for his defense, his role on the Philadelphia Phillies’ 1980 World Series title team and his place in baseball’s first three-generation family.  He died Monday, Nov. 9, the Phillies said.  He was 78.  His son Bret Boone announced the death Tuesday.  No cause or place of death was given.

Before the majors, Boone starred at Stanford University.  He played third base and pitched for the Cardinal, led the team in hitting in 1969 with a.311 average and in runs batted in in 1968 and 1969, and earned a psychology degree.  He is a member of the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame.  His brother Rodney also played at Stanford.

Boone was born Nov. 19, 1947, in San Diego, the son of Ray Boone, a two-time All-Star infielder.  The Phillies drafted him in the sixth round in 1969 and moved him to catcher in the minor leagues.  He reached the majors in 1972, made three All-Star teams with Philadelphia and became the first Phillies catcher to win a Gold Glove.  He hit.412 in the 1980 World Series against Kansas City.

He spent 1982 to 1988 with the California Angels, winning four Gold Gloves, catching Mike Witt’s 1984 perfect game and helping the team to division titles in 1982 and 1986.  He finished with the Royals and won his last Gold Glove in 1989 at age 41.  When he retired after the 1990 season, he had caught 2,225 games, which still ranks third all time.

Boone managed the Royals from 1995 to 1997 and the Cincinnati Reds from 2001 to 2003, and worked in the Washington Nationals front office from 2005 to 2021.  The Phillies added him to their Wall of Fame in 2005.  His sons Bret and Aaron also became major league All-Stars; Aaron now manages the New York Yankees.

Boone is survived by his wife, Susan Boone, and their 3 sons, Aaron Boone, Bret Boone and Matthew Boone.