The Boone's: Three Generations of All-Stars

A few weeks ago, I came across an online company called Canton & Cooper who sell PSA/DNA autographs as well as unopened packs, AP photos, and other autographed items. In their clearance section they were selling autographed 8x10 photos of Ray Boone for $3.80. Ray Boone is the patriarch of the Boone family which managed to field three generations of ball players at the MLB level... a feat that only four families have so far achieved.

Ray played 13 seasons for six different teams. He had a solid major league career in which he hit 151 homeruns and made the all-star team twice with the Detroit Tigers in the 50's.

Personally, I was more familiar with his son, Bob Boone... who played 19 seasons with three different teams. He was a 4x all-star, won a Golden Glove Award at catcher seven times and is the father of two former MLB all-stars himself.

Less than two years after Bob retired, his son Bret made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners. Like father and grandfather... Bret went on to have a solid career which included three all-star appearances and four Golden Glove Awards as a second baseman.

And finally there's Bob's other son Aaron, who was drafted in 1994 by the Cincinnati Reds, played 12 seasons and made the all-star team once in 2003.

There have been many great families in baseball over the years: the Ripkens, the Alomars, the Griffeys, and the Bonds... but only one has featured three generations and four players that have each been an all-star.

I'm planning on getting these four autographs professionally matted and framed and giving it to my dad for Father's Day next year. I think he'll appreciate the story behind their baseball family and the mark they left on the game.

Today's question of the day:

Who are some of your favorite families in sports?

They don't necessarily have to be from baseball.

Going back to Canton & Cooper experience...

I ended up buying a bunch of other items for my PC... like a 1985 Fleer cello pack with a Kirby Puckett on top, two 1983 Fleer cellos (one with a Gwynn on top and another with a Boggs on top), and a Ray Dandridge PSA/DNA autographed Perez Steele card.

They actually messed up my order, but their great customer service department took care of the issue and gave me a couple of free photos. One of the freebies is part of the newest prize package in my contest.

It's an autographed 8x10 photo of Sam Jethroe, who was the 1950 NL Rookie of the Year. Before making his MLB debut, he played several years in the Negro Leagues, where he captured several batting titles. He only played three seasons at the MLB level, but he led the National League in stolen bases two of those years. Jethroe was the first African-American to play for the Boston Braves and the last person to hit a grandslam as a Boston Braves player. Sadly Mr. Jethroe passed away ten years ago at the age of 84.

In addition to this 8x10, I'm throwing in this autographed photo of Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller:

Feller's list of accomplishments goes on and on and on... but here are a few of the highlights:

8x All-Star

Led AL in wins 6x

Led AL in strikeouts 7x

Won the AL Triple Crown (Wins, ERA, & K's) in 1940

First Ballot HOFer in 1962

Mr. Feller lived a long life, but recently passed away at the age of 92. He was known for signing autographs for anyone who asked. The photo being added to the prize package has a little water damage, but if the winner frames the autograph it will be difficult to tell.

Finally, I purchased another Ray Boone autograph (similar to the one above) to add to the contest. All three autograph photos will be packaged together as one prize.

Okay... I'm running late to work. I'll have to update the contest tonight.

Thank goodness there's only two more days until the weekend... and only 8 more days until summer school is over. Then I get to enjoy my summer break. Enjoy the rest of your week... Sayonara!