Bob Boone - The most durable catcher in ML
history, Bob Boone had caught a ML-record 2,066 games entering the 1990 season.
The son of Tigers All-Star third baseman Ray Boone, Bob Boone attended Stanford
University before reaching the ML in late 1972, and although he had several good
seasons at the plate, his value lay in his defensive skills and his handling of
pitchers. In 1977, his eight errors and three passed balls were the lowest
totals among NL catchers. Bob Boone started for Philadelphia's three straight
division champions (1976-78) as well as the World Championship club of 1980.
After Bob Boone's off-year in 1981 (.211, 4 HR, 24 RBI), the Phillies decided
that Keith Moreland was ready to take over behind the plate, and Bob Boone was
traded to the Angels. He quickly proved the Phillies wrong. While Moreland
struggled, Bob Boone threw out 21 of the first 34 AL runners attempting to steal
against him and steadied the Angels' pitching staff en route to the AL West
title. He remained the Angels' starting catcher for seven years, but was let go
after hitting a career-high .295 in 1988 at the age of 40. Bob Boone signed with
the Royals as a free agent and led them in 1989 with a .350 batting average with
runners in scoring position. He managed Kansas City from 1995-97, going 181-206.
Bob Boone was been a special assistant to Reds general manager Jim Bowden from
1998-2000. Sons Aaron and Bret are Major Leaguers as well.
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