Former Major League Baseball catcher and manager Bob Boone, a World Series champion and the cornerstone of a rare three-generation baseball family, has died. He was 78.
Boone spent 19 seasons in the majors, primarily with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he earned four Gold Glove awards and was a four-time All-Star. He caught more games than any other catcher in National League history at the time of his retirement and was behind the plate for the Phillies' 1980 World Series victory.
The Boone family became the first in MLB history to produce three generations of major leaguers. Bob's father, Ray Boone, was a two-time All-Star infielder in the 1950s. Bob's sons, Bret and Aaron Boone, both enjoyed lengthy big-league careers, with Aaron currently managing the New York Yankees. Grandsons Jake and Matt Boone have also played professionally, extending the lineage to a fourth generation.
After his playing career, Boone managed the Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds. He remained a familiar figure at Citizens Bank Park, most recently appearing at a Phillies alumni event in August 2022.
