Bob Boone has passed away at age 78

Bob Boone, longtime major league catcher and manager, has passed away, per reports. He was 78.

Boone spent 19 years in the major leagues. Drafted out of Stanford by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1969, Boone got a cup of coffee in 1972 before becoming the Phillies’ regular catcher in 1973. He finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting that season, tied with Dan Driessen and Elias Sosa, with Gary Matthews finishing first and Steve Rogers second in what was an especially strong class, which also saw Ron Cey, Johnny Grubb, Davey Lopez and Richie Zisk receive votes.

Boone was his team’s starting catcher every season from 1973 through 1989, when he caught an American League high…