Former Phillies legend Bob Boone has passed away at the age of 78.
Boone was drafted by the Phillies in the sixth round of the 1969 MLB Draft. Originally selected as a third baseman, he made the switch to catcher, clearing the way for Mike Schmidt to solidify the hot corner for years to come. Boone spent his first ten major league seasons in Philadelphia from 1972 through 1981, establishing himself as a valuable defensive presence behind the plate. During his time in Philadelphia, he was selected to three All-Star games and won two Gold Gloves as one of the finest catchers of his generation.
Most importantly, he helped the Phillies capture their first title in team history as a member of the 1980 World Series championship team. He was behind the dish for the final out when Tug McGraw struck out Willie Wilson on October 21st, 1980, a day that will live in the hearts of Phillies fans forever. Though he was known for his defense, his offense was a major part of the team’s title run. During the World Series, he hit .412 with seven hits in 17 at-bats, to go along with four RBIs and four walks.
Overall, in Philadelphia, Boone hit .259 with 65 home runs and 456 RBI’s in 1125 games. His time with the team came to a close when he was traded to the California Angels in 1982 after a disappointing 1981 campaign. He would go on to play nine more seasons, spending time with the Angels and the Royals before retiring in 1990. He added one more All-Star appearance with the Angels to his resume in 1983, along with five additional Gold Glove awards, a credit to his longevity and consistency at the catcher position. He ranks third all time in MLB history in games caught, with 2,225.
After his playing career, Boone spent six years as a manager with the Royals and the Reds. Following his managerial career, he spent 15 years working in the Washington Nationals' front office before departing in 2021. This passion for baseball ultimately ran through the family as his sons Brett and Aaron went on to have successful MLB playing careers, with the latter now managing the New York Yankees, a position he has held for the last nine seasons.
In 2005, Boone was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame during Citizens Bank Park’s second season for his contributions to the franchise.
For a generation of Phillies fans, Boone will always be remembered as one of the core pieces of the 1980 World Series team and as one of the greatest catchers in franchise history. More than four decades later, his contributions to the franchise remain an integral part of Philadelphia sports history.
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