Aaron Boone
Encyclopedia
Aaron John Boone is a former Major League Baseball
infielder
whose famous home run off Boston Red Sox
pitcher Tim Wakefield
won the 2003 American League Championship Series
for the New York Yankees
. He played for the Cincinnati Reds
, New York Yankees
, Cleveland Indians
, Florida Marlins
, Washington Nationals
, and Houston Astros
. Boone is currently employed by ESPN
as a game analyst and contributor for Baseball Tonight
.
ever composed of two sets of brothers: first baseman Stephen Larkin, second baseman
Bret Boone
, shortstop
Barry Larkin
, and third baseman Aaron Boone.
On September 22, 2002, he hit the last home run in Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field in the eighth inning. It was a solo home run off Dan Plesac
.
During a certain period of Boone's career, he was welcomed to the plate by his own fans with a loud "Boone." This was a play on his last name and was a positive cheer rather than a heckle.
Boone hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning, off of Tim Wakefield
during Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS
which gave the New York Yankees
a 6–5 victory over the Boston Red Sox
. The Yankees won the game and the series on the home run, thus prolonging the Sox' Curse of the Bambino
for one more year. The New York Daily News used "Curse of the Boonebino" about prolonging the curse. This home run was rated the ninth best home run of all time on Baseball Tonight
.
On February 27, 2004, Boone was cut from the Yankee roster after tearing a knee
ligament
during a pick-up basketball game played in violation of his contract with the Yankees. He was replaced at third base by former Texas Rangers
shortstop Alex Rodriguez
. Since the Yankees would most likely not have tried to obtain Rodriguez if Boone had not been injured, it has been jokingly dubbed by some as the most important basketball injury in the history of baseball. During the 2004 season, the Yankees expressed an interest in re-signing Boone to play second base in 2005, replacing Enrique Wilson
and Miguel Cairo
, but Boone instead signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Indians.
On December 6, 2007, Boone signed a one-year, $1,000,000 contract with the Washington Nationals.
On December 18, 2008, Boone signed a one-year $750,000, plus incentives, deal with the Houston Astros.
In March 2009, he announced that he will undergo open-heart surgery to replace a bicuspid aortic valve
, a condition that he has been aware of since childhood but which routine tests indicated had recently worsened. Boone stated that doctors told him he could play baseball when he recovers, but he was not sure if he would choose to do so. The surgery took place on March 26, 2009; his recovery time was expected to be at least several months. It was initially unclear if Boone would ever be able to play again; however, Boone returned to baseball on August 10, 2009, when he began his rehabilitation with the Corpus Christi Hooks
, the Astros' Double-A minor league affiliate. He played five innings and was hitless in two plate appearances. Boone stated after the game that his goal is to return to the major leagues by September 1, the date that major league rosters expand. Boone was activated on September 1, 2009 and added to the Astros' expanded roster. “He can pinch-hit, play tomorrow, there are a lot of options. I want to do it as soon as I can. I don’t want to wait too long, cut the suspense. I know he’s pretty anxious and everyone wants to see him out there,” Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. On September 2, Boone made his season debut, playing at first base, went 0 for 3. On September 16, 2009 Boone expressed that he was leaning towards retirement.
Boone served as a guest analyst for the MLB Network
coverage of the 2009 ALCS
between the New York Yankees
and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
.
On February 23, 2010 Boone announced his retirement and that he would become an analyst for ESPN
.
, the brother of All Star and winner of four gold gloves, Bret Boone
, the brother of former Cincinnati Reds minor leaguer, Matt Boone and the grandson of former major leaguer Ray Boone
. He is a descendant of pioneer Daniel Boone
. He is married to Playboy
Playmate Laura Cover (Miss October 1998), and together they have a son. As a child, Boone hung out in the Phillies clubhouse with fellow major league offspring Pete Rose Jr.
, his brother Bret Boone
, Ryan Luzinski, and Mark McGraw.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
whose famous home run off Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
pitcher Tim Wakefield
Tim Wakefield
Timothy Stephen Wakefield is an American professional baseball pitcher. Wakefield began pitching with the Red Sox in 1995, making him the longest-serving player currently on the team. Wakefield is also the oldest current active player in the majors, and one of two active knuckleballers, the other...
won the 2003 American League Championship Series
2003 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 8, 2003 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkBacked by three home runs, Tim Wakefield shut the Bombers down in Game 1.-Game 2:Thursday, October 9, 2003 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York...
for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. He played for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, and Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. Boone is currently employed by ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
as a game analyst and contributor for Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight is a program that airs on ESPN. The show, which recapitulates the day's Major League Baseball action, has been on the air since 1990.-Air times:...
.
Cincinnati Reds
On the last day of the 1998 season, the Reds helped him make baseball trivia history by starting the only infieldInfield
Infield is a widely used term in sports terminology, its meaning depends on the sport in which it is used.- In baseball :In baseball the baseball diamond plus a region beyond it , has both grass and dirt, in contrast to the more distant, usually grass-covered outfield...
ever composed of two sets of brothers: first baseman Stephen Larkin, second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Bret Boone
Bret Boone
Bret Robert Boone is a former Major League Baseball second baseman.-Personal life:Boone was born in El Cajon, California to Susan G. Roel and Bob Boone. He is a graduate of El Dorado High School and the University of Southern California. He is the grandson of former major leaguer Ray Boone and...
, shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Barry Larkin
Barry Larkin
Barry Louis Larkin is a retired Major League Baseball player. Larkin played shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds from 1986 to 2004 and was one of the pivotal players on the 1990 Reds' World Series championship team...
, and third baseman Aaron Boone.
On September 22, 2002, he hit the last home run in Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field in the eighth inning. It was a solo home run off Dan Plesac
Dan Plesac
Daniel Thomas Plesac is a former Major League Baseball pitcher with an 18-year career from to . He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Philadelphia Phillies...
.
During a certain period of Boone's career, he was welcomed to the plate by his own fans with a loud "Boone." This was a play on his last name and was a positive cheer rather than a heckle.
New York Yankees
Tim Wakefield
Timothy Stephen Wakefield is an American professional baseball pitcher. Wakefield began pitching with the Red Sox in 1995, making him the longest-serving player currently on the team. Wakefield is also the oldest current active player in the majors, and one of two active knuckleballers, the other...
during Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS
2003 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 8, 2003 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkBacked by three home runs, Tim Wakefield shut the Bombers down in Game 1.-Game 2:Thursday, October 9, 2003 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York...
which gave the New York Yankees
2003 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 2003 season was the 100th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 101-61 finishing 6 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox. New York was managed by Joe Torre. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the playoffs, they defeated the Boston Red Sox in 7 games in...
a 6–5 victory over the Boston Red Sox
2003 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox' 2003 season included the Red Sox attempting to win the American League East division, the ALDS, and the American League.-Offseason:...
. The Yankees won the game and the series on the home run, thus prolonging the Sox' Curse of the Bambino
Curse of the Bambino
The Curse of the Bambino was a superstition cited as a reason for the failure of the Boston Red Sox baseball team to win the World Series in the 86-year period from 1918 to 2004...
for one more year. The New York Daily News used "Curse of the Boonebino" about prolonging the curse. This home run was rated the ninth best home run of all time on Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight is a program that airs on ESPN. The show, which recapitulates the day's Major League Baseball action, has been on the air since 1990.-Air times:...
.
On February 27, 2004, Boone was cut from the Yankee roster after tearing a knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
ligament
Ligament
In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote any of three types of structures. Most commonly, it refers to fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua, fibrous ligament, or true ligament.Ligament can also refer to:* Peritoneal...
during a pick-up basketball game played in violation of his contract with the Yankees. He was replaced at third base by former Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
shortstop Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
. Since the Yankees would most likely not have tried to obtain Rodriguez if Boone had not been injured, it has been jokingly dubbed by some as the most important basketball injury in the history of baseball. During the 2004 season, the Yankees expressed an interest in re-signing Boone to play second base in 2005, replacing Enrique Wilson
Enrique Wilson
Enrique Wilson Marte is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He batted switch and threw right-handed....
and Miguel Cairo
Miguel Cairo
Miguel Jesús Cairo is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently with the Cincinnati Reds. He has mostly played second base during his career, but has played every position in baseball except catcher and pitcher. He currently plays mostly third base, in place of Scott Rolen during his...
, but Boone instead signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Indians.
Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals and Houston Astros
On December 29, 2006, Boone signed a one-year contract with the Florida Marlins.On December 6, 2007, Boone signed a one-year, $1,000,000 contract with the Washington Nationals.
On December 18, 2008, Boone signed a one-year $750,000, plus incentives, deal with the Houston Astros.
In March 2009, he announced that he will undergo open-heart surgery to replace a bicuspid aortic valve
Bicuspid aortic valve
A bicuspid aortic valve is most commonly a congenital condition of the aortic valve where two of the aortic valvular leaflets fuse during development resulting in a valve that is bicuspid instead of the normal tricuspid configuration. Normally the only cardiac valve that is bicuspid is the mitral...
, a condition that he has been aware of since childhood but which routine tests indicated had recently worsened. Boone stated that doctors told him he could play baseball when he recovers, but he was not sure if he would choose to do so. The surgery took place on March 26, 2009; his recovery time was expected to be at least several months. It was initially unclear if Boone would ever be able to play again; however, Boone returned to baseball on August 10, 2009, when he began his rehabilitation with the Corpus Christi Hooks
Corpus Christi Hooks
The Corpus Christi Hooks are a minor league baseball team of the Texas League, and are the Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. They are located in Corpus Christi, Texas, and are named for the city's association with fishing. The team's ownership group is headed by Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan...
, the Astros' Double-A minor league affiliate. He played five innings and was hitless in two plate appearances. Boone stated after the game that his goal is to return to the major leagues by September 1, the date that major league rosters expand. Boone was activated on September 1, 2009 and added to the Astros' expanded roster. “He can pinch-hit, play tomorrow, there are a lot of options. I want to do it as soon as I can. I don’t want to wait too long, cut the suspense. I know he’s pretty anxious and everyone wants to see him out there,” Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. On September 2, Boone made his season debut, playing at first base, went 0 for 3. On September 16, 2009 Boone expressed that he was leaning towards retirement.
Boone served as a guest analyst for the MLB Network
MLB Network
MLB Network is an American television specialty channel dedicated to professional baseball. It is primarily owned by Major League Baseball. Comcast, DirecTV, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications have minority ownership of the new network, with MLB retaining a controlling two-thirds share...
coverage of the 2009 ALCS
2009 American League Championship Series
The American League Championship Series , the second round of the 2009 American League playoffs, was a best-of-seven game series matching the two winners of the 2009 American League Division Series...
between the New York Yankees
2009 New York Yankees season
The 2009 New York Yankees season was the 107th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees opened their new Yankee Stadium on April 3, 2009, when they hosted an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs...
and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
2009 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim season
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim' 2009 season is the franchise's 49th season. The Angels began the season as the two-time defending American League West division champions....
.
On February 23, 2010 Boone announced his retirement and that he would become an analyst for ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
.
Personal life
He is the son of former catcher and manager Bob BooneBob Boone
Robert Raymond Boone is a former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who was a four-time All-Star. Born in San Diego, California, Bob Boone is the son of a major league player, the late third baseman Ray Boone, and the father of two major leaguers: former second baseman Bret Boone and...
, the brother of All Star and winner of four gold gloves, Bret Boone
Bret Boone
Bret Robert Boone is a former Major League Baseball second baseman.-Personal life:Boone was born in El Cajon, California to Susan G. Roel and Bob Boone. He is a graduate of El Dorado High School and the University of Southern California. He is the grandson of former major leaguer Ray Boone and...
, the brother of former Cincinnati Reds minor leaguer, Matt Boone and the grandson of former major leaguer Ray Boone
Ray Boone
Raymond Otis Boone was an American Major League Baseball player. He batted and threw right-handed.Boone was born in San Diego, California. An infielder, he broke into the major leagues on September 3, , with the Cleveland Indians...
. He is a descendant of pioneer Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman whose frontier exploits mad']'e him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which was then beyond the western borders of...
. He is married to Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
Playmate Laura Cover (Miss October 1998), and together they have a son. As a child, Boone hung out in the Phillies clubhouse with fellow major league offspring Pete Rose Jr.
Pete Rose Jr.
Peter Edward "PJ" Rose Jr. is a former professional baseball player. The son of Major League Baseball's all-time hits leader Pete Rose, Pete Jr. has played in the minor leagues most of his career except for a brief stint in for the Cincinnati Reds. He was released Sept...
, his brother Bret Boone
Bret Boone
Bret Robert Boone is a former Major League Baseball second baseman.-Personal life:Boone was born in El Cajon, California to Susan G. Roel and Bob Boone. He is a graduate of El Dorado High School and the University of Southern California. He is the grandson of former major leaguer Ray Boone and...
, Ryan Luzinski, and Mark McGraw.
See also
- Third-generation Major League Baseball families