Raymond Otis Boone (July 27, 1923 – October 17, 2004) was an American Major League Baseball player and scout. Primarily a third baseman and shortstop, he was a two-time American LeagueAll-Star (1954 and 1956), and led his league in runs batted in with 116 in 1955. He batted and threw right-handed and was listed as 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and 172 pounds (78 kg).
Boone was born in San Diego, California, and attended San Diego’s Hoover High School. He served in the United States Navy during World War II.
. . . Ray Boone . . .
In a thirteen-year career, he hit .275 with 151 home runs and 737 RBI in 1,373 games for the Indians, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Milwaukee Braves and Boston Red Sox. His 1,260 MLBhits also included 162 doubles and 46 triples.
Ray Boone signed his first professional contract with the Cleveland Indians in 1942 at age 18.[1] He received a $500 signing bonus and began playing for the Indian’s Class C team in Wausau, Wisconsin.[1] In 1942, Boone played in 89 games.[1] He batted .306, had 41 RBIs, 13 doubles, eight triples, and four home runs.[1] After the 1942 season, Boone enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II, putting his baseball career on hold.[1]
In 1946, Boone played 77 games for Wilkes-Barre in the Class A Eastern League. He batted .258, producing 31 RBIs, and four home runs.[1]
During the 1947 season, the Indians transferred Boone to the Double-A Texas League in Oklahoma City.[1] In 1947 he played in 130 games, serving as catcher for more than 100 of them.[1] Boone batted .264, producing 48 RBIs and four home runs in 402 plate appearances. Toward the end of the 1947 season, Boone was asked to play shortstop, which he did for more than 20 games.[1]
In 1948, Boone traveled to Tucson, Arizona for the Indians’ spring training. At this time, Boone was given the option by Lou Boudreau, of being a backup shortstop in the major leagues or the starting shortstop in the minors.[1] Boone initially decided to play in the majors, but after sitting on the bench for three weeks, he made the transition back to the minors as a backup.[1] In 87 games in the Texas League, Boone batted .353 over 318 at-bats, producing 48 RBIs, 16 doubles, nine triples, and three home runs.[1]
He broke into the major leagues on September 3, 1948, when he was called up by the Cleveland Indians. That year, he went on to play in his first World Series. In the eighth inning of game five, Boone was sent in to pinch hit. He struck out swinging against Warren Spahn. During the 1948 World Series, the Indians defeated the Boston Braves in six games.[1]
In 1949 Boone played his first full rookie season. Playing in 86 games with a batting average of .252. During the 1950 season, Boone batted .301, producing 58 RBIs and seven home runs.[1] Boone’s batting average dropped to .233 in the 1951 season, with an increase in appearances. He produced 12 home runs and 51 RBIs over 151 games, with 544 plate appearances. During that year, Boone’s home runs ranked second among league shortstops. His RBIs ranked third among league shortstops.[1]
In 1952, Boone’s batting average was .263. He sustained multiple injuries that year, including a torn ligament in the left knee. In August 1952, Boone committed six errors over four games. On August 24, during a game with the Washington Senators, Boone’s two errors resulted in six unearned runs. The Senators won the game and the Indians dropped in league rankings to fall behind the New York Yankees.[1]
. . . Ray Boone . . .