Former Cincinnati Reds manager Bob Boone has died at 78, according to reports.
Boone managed Cincinnati from 2001 to 2003 and went 190-238 over 2 1/2 seasons with the club. He was hired by the Reds in 2021. Before that, he spent three seasons managing the Kansas City Royals from 1995 to 1997.
Boone also leaves behind a baseball family. He was the father of Bret and Aaron, both former big-league players.
The tributes came quickly after the news broke. Former Reds general manager Jim Bowden posted on X: "Prayers, condolences and thoughts to the Boone family on the passing of Bob," former Reds General Manager Jim Bowden wrote on X. "He was a leader as a player, coach and manager...a great son husband father grandfather...gold glove catcher...loved baseball and family at an elite level...high class and character special human being...blessed to have spent many years with him🙏🏻⚾️❤️"
Former Mets catcher Mike Piazza also shared his own message on X: "My deep prayers and condolences to the family of Bob Boone, Bret, Aaron and the rest," Piazza wrote. "I grew up watching Bob with the great teams of the 70’s..
His play and mastery of catching inspired me to want to play the position.. God Bless.."
Boone’s playing career was a long one and a decorated one. Drafted in the sixth round of the 1969 MLB Draft out of Stanford University, he made his major league debut with Philadelphia on September 10, 1972, and went 0-for-2 against the Chicago Cubs.
He played for the Phillies from 1972 to 1981, then finished his career with seven seasons for the California Angels and two with the Royals. Over 19 seasons, Boone hit .254/.315/.346 with 105 home runs. He was a four-time All-Star in 1976, 1978, 1979 and 1982, and won six Gold Gloves in 1978, 1979, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989.
Boone retired in 1990 at 42. His final game with Kansas City ended with a 2-for-3 line and an RBI.
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