Aaron Boone debuts on BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot
Aaron Boone made history as a third-generation big league player with his father and grandfather. And with a 12-year big league career behind him, Boone could make more history with election to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Boone debuts on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America Hall of Fame ballot this fall, one of 34 players on the 2015 BBWAA ballot for the Class of 2015.
BBWAA members who have at least 10 years of tenure with the organization can vote in the election, and the results will be announced Jan. 6. Any candidate who receives at least 75 percent of all BBWAA votes cast will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2015. The Induction Ceremony will be held July 26 in Cooperstown.
Bio
Boone was born into a world of baseball on March 9, 1973 in La Mesa, Calif. At the time, his father Bob Boone was at Spring Training with the Phillies, where he would win the team’s starting job behind the plate. Bob Boone would play 19 big league seasons, winning seven Gold Glove Awards and retiring as the all-time leader in games caught (since eclipsed by Iván Rodríguez) and Carlton Fisk.
Aaron Boone’s grandfather, Ray Boone, played 13 years in the big leagues and was named to two All-Star Games.
Aaron Boone debuted in the big leagues with the Reds in 1997, and by 1999 was Cincinnati’s starting third baseman. In 2002, Boone played in all 162 games, smashing 26 home runs and 38 doubles while driving in 87 runs and stealing 32 bases. The next year, Boone was named to the All-Star Game – but the rebuilding Reds traded Boone to the Yankees in a trade deadline deal for prospects.
“It’s nice to walk into this room and know it’s about winning games,” Boone said upon his arrival in New York. “That’s how I like to play.”
Boone immediately took over as the Yankees’ third baseman, and soon destiny came calling. In Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series against the Red Sox, Boone hit the first pitch of the bottom of the 11th inning off from Boston’s Tim Wakefield into the left field stands at Yankee Stadium, giving New York a walk-off win and a trip to the World Series.
“I don’t know what to say,” Boone said following his Game 7 home run. “It’s unbelievable (and) to have a hand in it is humbling.”
But prior to the 2004 season, Boone sustained a left knee injury while playing baseball, costing him the entire campaign. He returned to the big leagues in 2005 with Cleveland, and finished his career with stints with the Marlins, Nationals and Astros.
In 12 seasons, Boone hit .263 with 216 doubles, 126 home runs and 555 RBI.
