Bob Boone to sign free autographs June 26

Former big league catcher and manager Bob Boone will sign free autographs before the Sunday, June 26 Red Wings home game at Frontier Field. The gates will open at 4 p.m.

Boone is currently the Assistant GM & VP, Player Development for Washington and will be "pinch-hitting" for former Wing Davey Johnson, who was scheduled to make an appearance at the game.

Boone was a four-time All-Star catcher. He 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 former utility infielder Aaron Boone. All four family members were named All-Stars during their careers.

He was one of the top defensive catchers of his era, winning seven Gold Glove awards. Boone caught 2,225 games in a 19-year Major League career, a record which was later broken by Carlton Fisk. Boone was a member of the 1980 Phillies World Series champs, and caught Mike Witt's perfect game in 1984 while both were with the California Angels.