Several former baseball players have decided in recent days that avoiding a COVID-19 shot is more important than their post-playing career.
The latest is Bob Boone, a longtime Nationals executive after a decorated playing and managing career. Boone will be quitting the front office in Washington after the team became one of three (with the Orioles and Astros) to require all non-player employees to be vaccinated.
“Boone has not resigned yet, but does expect to split with the Nationals rather than get the shot,” according to the Washington Post. The Post also reported that the Nats’ minor league pitching coordinator was on unpaid leave because he was unvaccinated.
Boone, 73, is the father of Yankees manager Aaron Boone and former MLB infielder Bret Boone. His son Aaron was vaccinated in March as soon as he was eligible.
Bob Boone was a star catcher for the Phillies, Angels and Royals from 1972 to 1990 and managed the Royals and Reds in stints between 1995 and 2003. He’s been with the Nationals since 2005.
John Smoltz and Al Leiter won’t work in person at MLB Network because of a vaccine mandate there, according to the New York Post.
