Overview
- Boone's son Bret confirmed his father's death on Tuesday and the family has not publicly released a cause of death.
- Boone spent 19 major league seasons as a catcher, retiring with 2,225 games caught, seven Gold Gloves, four All‑Star selections, and a key role as the Phillies' starting catcher in their 1980 World Series title run.
- After his playing career he managed the Kansas City Royals (1995–97) and Cincinnati Reds (2001–03) to a combined 371–444 record and later served in the Washington Nationals' front office before resigning in 2021 over the team's COVID‑19 vaccine requirement for non‑playing staff.
- Major teams, the MLB Players Association and numerous former teammates issued statements honoring his leadership with pitching staffs, defensive excellence and long service to the game.
- Boone is remembered as the middle figure of baseball's first three‑generation major league family, with his father Ray ahead of him and sons Bret and Aaron following, and his passing leaves the family and baseball community awaiting any further details from the family.