#31 Bob Boone, C (1982-1988)

After Brian Downing made the switch from catcher to OF during the ’81 season, the Angels needed a catcher. So they purchased catcher Bob Boone from the Phillies. Boone was a key member of two Angel playoff teams (’82 & ’86). He batted .455 with 4 runs and a then record 9 singles (T3rd, single LCS) in the ’86 ALCS loss to the Red Sox. He represented the Angels in the ’83 All-Star game, and won Gold Gloves in ’82, ’86, ’87, and ’88. In 1987, Boone broke the ML record for most games caught in a career (1,919). As an Angel, Boone led the AL in defensive games as a catcher 5 straight years (’82 – ’86), putouts (C) once, assists (C) five times, runners caught stealing once, and CS% three times – staking his claim to the title as the Angels’ greatest defensive catcher.

His single season highs marks include:

- a 2.0 Def. WAR (’83,T9th)

- 23 sacrifice hits (’82, 2^nd)

- 16 sacrifice hits (’85, T6th)

After the 1988 season, Boone signed with Kansas City as a Free Agent. After 7 seasons as the Angels’ starting catcher, Boone is the team’s all-time leader with:

- 90 sacrifice hits

- 961 games caught

- a .368 postseason BA

Boone is among the team’s career Top Ten with:

- a 7.7 Defensive WAR (3^rd)

- 968 games (10^th)

- 12.2 AB/SO (4^th)

- 4,588 putouts (5^th)

- 7 postseason runs (T10^th)

- 2 postseason HR (T8^th)

- a .364 postseason OB% (8^th)

- a .526 postseason SLG% (3^rd)

- a .890 postseason OPS (4^th)

- 3 postseason SH (T2^nd)