Bret Boone
Encyclopedia
Bret Robert Boone is a former Major League Baseball
second baseman
.
, 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 brother of Aaron Boone
. As well as the descendant of pioneer Daniel Boone
. As a child, Boone hung out in the Phillies clubhouse with Pete Rose Jr.
, his brother Aaron, Ryan Luzinski, and Mark McGraw.
In , Boone became the first-ever third-generation big-leaguer in baseball history. As a member of an All-Star
family, he is the son of Bob
, a catcher
for the Philadelphia Phillies
, California Angels
and Kansas City Royals
(–) and later a manager
with the Royals and Cincinnati Reds
; his brother Aaron
is a third baseman
who has played with the Reds, New York Yankees
, Cleveland Indians
, Florida Marlins
,and Houston Astros
. His grandfather Ray
was an infielder
for the Indians, Detroit Tigers
, Chicago White Sox
, Kansas City Athletics, Milwaukee Braves and Boston Red Sox
(–).
On the last day of the 1998 season, the Reds helped him make baseball trivia history by starting the only infield ever composed of two sets of brothers: first baseman Stephen Larkin, second baseman Bret Boone, shortstop Barry Larkin
, and third baseman Aaron Boone.
In 2001 Boone returned to the Seattle Mariners, the organization with whom he came up with from 1990-1993 now an allstar, having averaged 21 homeruns a year from 1998 through 2000, and having twice hit his career high in doubles (at 38, in 1998 and 1999).
Back with the Mariners, Boone enjoyed his best season in , leading the league in runs batted in
(141), while producing a batting average
of (.331), then the 5th highest in team history. He also broke his team record of homeruns for a second baseman with his 37 homeruns and hit 37 doubles. Boone started in the All Star Game in Seattle, received a Silver Slugger
award, and finished third in the AL MVP voting losing out to teammate Ichiro Suzuki. His Mariners paced the league with a record 116 wins, earning the AL West
championship and advancing to the ALCS
, as well as tying the all-time team record for wins in a season with the Chicago Cubs.
The following year Boone won a gold glove for his defense and continued to show the power he had demonstrated the previous years, hitting 24 homeruns with 34 doubles. On May 1st, Boone and teammate Mike Cameron became the first teammates to each hit two homer runs in a single inning.
With local media and behind the scenes he was famous for his humorous behavior. Boone took up not one but three lockers, as Erick Walker notes, "one for him, another with a nameplate above that read 'Boone’s friend' and a third with a nameplate that read 'Boone’s friend’s friend' that was scattered with about 100 bats."
by the Seattle Mariners on July 3, 2005, and later traded on July 11 to Minnesota for cash and a player (minor league pitcher Andy Baldwin) to be named later. Minnesota released Boone on August 1 after only 14 games, where the second baseman struggled with a .221 batting average, with 7 home runs and 37 RBI in 88 games for the Mariners and Twins.
contract with the New York Mets
. He received an invitation to spring training
, but on March 1, only a few days into spring training, he announced his initial retirement from baseball, citing a lack of passion for the game.
On March 21, 2008, Boone was reassigned to minor league camp after hitting .189 and began the season with the Columbus Clippers
, the Nationals Triple-A affiliate. He had hoped to get signed by a major league club, and left the Clippers in late April to work out on his own. However, on May 28, he once again announced his retirement.
On March 9, 2010, he was named manager of the Victoria Seals
of the Golden Baseball League. On May 27, 2010, the Seals announced Boone was leaving the team permanently to deal with "family matters".
, in his book "Juiced", accused Boone of steroid use, saying that in a 2001 spring training game he was stunned at Boone's physique, and the two chatted about what Boone was taking. However, Boone has denied taking steroids, or having any such conversation with Canseco, pointing out that he never played against Canseco during the 2001 spring training.
when his brother, Aaron hit a walk-off home run
to send the Yankees to the World Series
.
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...
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...
.
Personal life
Boone was born in El CajonEl Cajon, California
-History:El Cajon is located on the Rancho El Cajon Mexican land grant made in 1845 to María Antonia Estudillo, wife of Miguel Pedrorena. In 1876 Amaziah Lord Knox , a New Englander who had recently moved to California, established a hotel there to serve the growing number of people traveling...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to Susan G. Roel and Bob Boone
Bob 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...
. He is a graduate of El Dorado High School and the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
. He is 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...
and brother of Aaron Boone
Aaron Boone
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...
. As well as the 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...
. As a child, Boone hung out in the Phillies clubhouse with 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 Aaron, Ryan Luzinski, and Mark McGraw.
Professional career
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
family, he is the son of Bob
Bob 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...
, a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
and Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
(–) and later a manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
with the Royals and 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....
; his brother Aaron
Aaron Boone
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...
is a third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
who has played with the Reds, 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...
,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...
. His grandfather Ray
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...
was an 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...
for the Indians, Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, Kansas City Athletics, Milwaukee Braves and 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"...
(–).
On the last day of the 1998 season, the Reds helped him make baseball trivia history by starting the only infield ever composed of two sets of brothers: first baseman Stephen Larkin, second baseman Bret Boone, shortstop 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.
Seattle Mariners
Boone started his playing career with the Seattle Mariners where he set the club record for homeruns in a season by second baseman in 1993 (12 in 76 games) but was traded that same year to the Cincinatti Reds along with Erick Hanson.In 2001 Boone returned to the Seattle Mariners, the organization with whom he came up with from 1990-1993 now an allstar, having averaged 21 homeruns a year from 1998 through 2000, and having twice hit his career high in doubles (at 38, in 1998 and 1999).
Back with the Mariners, Boone enjoyed his best season in , leading the league in runs batted in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
(141), while producing a batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of (.331), then the 5th highest in team history. He also broke his team record of homeruns for a second baseman with his 37 homeruns and hit 37 doubles. Boone started in the All Star Game in Seattle, received a Silver Slugger
Silver Slugger
The Silver Slugger Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball...
award, and finished third in the AL MVP voting losing out to teammate Ichiro Suzuki. His Mariners paced the league with a record 116 wins, earning the AL West
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
championship and advancing to the ALCS
2001 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at Safeco Field in Seattle, WashingtonGame 1's starting date was the latest ever for a League Championship series. The Yankees took a 1–0 lead on a Chuck Knoblauch single that scored Jorge Posada in the second, then increased it to 3–0 on a Paul O'Neill home run...
, as well as tying the all-time team record for wins in a season with the Chicago Cubs.
The following year Boone won a gold glove for his defense and continued to show the power he had demonstrated the previous years, hitting 24 homeruns with 34 doubles. On May 1st, Boone and teammate Mike Cameron became the first teammates to each hit two homer runs in a single inning.
With local media and behind the scenes he was famous for his humorous behavior. Boone took up not one but three lockers, as Erick Walker notes, "one for him, another with a nameplate above that read 'Boone’s friend' and a third with a nameplate that read 'Boone’s friend’s friend' that was scattered with about 100 bats."
Minnesota Twins
He was designated for assignmentDesignated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
by the Seattle Mariners on July 3, 2005, and later traded on July 11 to Minnesota for cash and a player (minor league pitcher Andy Baldwin) to be named later. Minnesota released Boone on August 1 after only 14 games, where the second baseman struggled with a .221 batting average, with 7 home runs and 37 RBI in 88 games for the Mariners and Twins.
New York Mets
On January 4, , Boone signed a minor leagueMinor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
contract with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. He received an invitation to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, but on March 1, only a few days into spring training, he announced his initial retirement from baseball, citing a lack of passion for the game.
Washington Nationals
On February 18, , Boone came out of retirement and signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. At first he was assigned to the minor league camp, but after five days, he was invited to the team's major league spring training camp.On March 21, 2008, Boone was reassigned to minor league camp after hitting .189 and began the season with the Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
, the Nationals Triple-A affiliate. He had hoped to get signed by a major league club, and left the Clippers in late April to work out on his own. However, on May 28, he once again announced his retirement.
On March 9, 2010, he was named manager of the Victoria Seals
Victoria Seals
The Victoria Seals were a professional baseball team based in Victoria, British Columbia. The Seals were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. They joined the GBL on October 1,...
of the Golden Baseball League. On May 27, 2010, the Seals announced Boone was leaving the team permanently to deal with "family matters".
Legacy
He finished his career with a .266 batting average, 252 home runs and 1,021 RBI in 1,780 games in 14 Major League seasons. He was a three time All-Star, four time gold glove winner, and participated in 2 Home Run Derbies.Steroid controversy
Jose CansecoJosé Canseco
José Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco...
, in his book "Juiced", accused Boone of steroid use, saying that in a 2001 spring training game he was stunned at Boone's physique, and the two chatted about what Boone was taking. However, Boone has denied taking steroids, or having any such conversation with Canseco, pointing out that he never played against Canseco during the 2001 spring training.
Broadcasting
Boone was a guest announcer for Fox during the 2003 ALCS2003 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...
when his brother, Aaron hit a walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
to send the Yankees to the World Series
2003 World Series
The 2003 World Series marked the 99th baseball World Series event. The Florida Marlins defeated the New York Yankees in six games, 4–2.-Background:...
.
Related links
- List of NL Gold Glove winners at second base
- List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
- List of second generation MLB players
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
- List of Major League Baseball RBI champions
See also
- Third-generation Major League Baseball families
External links
- Baseball Library - biography and career highlights