John Boccabella – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

John Boccabella’s name doesn’t show up in the Hall of Fame, but his 12-year run in Major League Baseball tells a story of grit and adaptability. Born in San Francisco in 1941, this Italian-American ballplayer made a solid career for himself as a catcher and first baseman from 1963 to 1974, moving between three teams in both leagues.

Boccabella retired from pro baseball in 1974, wrapping up his career with the San Francisco Giants, right in his hometown. His career batting average—.219 with 26 home runs—might look modest, but it reflects years of dedication to the game and real contributions to teams like the Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, and Giants. What really set Boccabella apart was his defense behind the plate, where he threw out 41 percent of runners trying to steal.

He started out as a promising college player at Santa Clara University and finished his last season in the majors after a journey that echoes the path of so many ballplayers who find their spot in the game through hard work and flexibility. Boccabella switched from being a power-hitting first baseman prospect to a dependable defensive catcher, showing how players often have to adapt if they want to stick around at the top.

Early Life and Amateur Career

John Dominic Boccabella was born on June 29, 1941, in San Francisco, California. His parents, Italian immigrants, had come to the United States in the 1930s.

He showed off his athletic skills in high school, but he really hit his stride at Santa Clara University. There, he became a standout on one of the school’s best baseball teams.

Family Background and Childhood in San Francisco

John Dominic Boccabella entered the world in San Francisco on June 29, 1941. His parents, who immigrated from Italy in the 1930s, looked for new opportunities in America.

His dad came from Sampeyre, a small town near the French border in northern Italy. His mom was from Sant’Angelo in Campo, a little hamlet in Tuscany.

The family eventually settled in San Anselmo, where Boccabella spent his childhood. Growing up in the Bay Area in the 1940s and ’50s, he got hooked on baseball early.

The Italian-American community in the region was tight-knit. That heritage stayed important to him throughout his career.

High School Baseball Achievements

Boccabella went to high school in the Bay Area during the late 1950s. His baseball skills really started to take off then.

He stood out both as a position player and as someone who just seemed to get the game. At six foot one, he had a real advantage behind the plate as a catcher.

During high school, he worked hard and showed the drive that would help him later in professional baseball. College scouts definitely noticed him.

Those years laid the groundwork for his future success. He kept getting better as he got ready for college-level competition.

Santa Clara University Highlights

Boccabella played for Santa Clara University, quickly becoming a key part of the baseball team. His best season came in 1962 when he helped lead the team to some real success.

The 1962 Santa Clara team made it all the way to the NCAA championship game. They faced Michigan in the final but lost in extra innings.

Key 1962 Season Statistics:

• Batting Average: .357 (team leader)
• Recognition: All-League selection
• Team Achievement: NCAA championship game appearance

He finished his college career with 25 home runs, which still ranks 10th in school history.

His performance at Santa Clara, especially during the 1962 NCAA tournament, put him on MLB scouts’ radar.

In 1963, after college, the Chicago Cubs drafted Boccabella. That kicked off his professional baseball journey.

Major League Baseball Debut and Early Years

John Boccabella made his Major League debut with the Chicago Cubs in September 1963 at age 22, coming off that standout college career. Those early years weren’t easy, especially as he tried to shift from first baseman to catcher, a move that ended up shaping his career.

Chicago Cubs Signing and Debut

The Chicago Cubs signed Boccabella on June 10, 1963, after he graduated from Santa Clara University with honors in commerce. Cubs scout Ray Perry landed him for an $8,000 bonus, though some say he could’ve gotten more if he’d signed earlier.

Minor League Success
Boccabella made an immediate impression in the Cubs’ farm system. With Pocatello in the Pioneer League, he put up some wild numbers:

• .365 batting average (just 28 plate appearances short of the batting title)
• 30 home runs and 92 RBIs in only 84 games
• Pioneer League Rookie of the Year honors

His big season got him a September call-up to the majors. Boccabella debuted on September 2, 1963, against the San Francisco Giants.

He hit .189 in 24 games that first season. He knocked his first big league home run on September 12, 1963, off Ernie Broglio in St. Louis.

Transition from First Baseman to Catcher

At first, everyone saw Boccabella as a first baseman with real promise. That changed in 1966 when manager Leo Durocher made a pivotal call. Durocher told him, “If I’m going to keep you, you’re going to have to become a catcher.”

Positional Changes
He started catching gradually in 1966, getting behind the plate in five games, including back-to-back starts on July 4 and 5. The Chicago Tribune pointed out how quickly he picked up catching techniques in April 1966.

He kept working on his catching at Triple-A Tacoma in 1967 and 1968. The Cubs didn’t need backup catchers much then since Randy Hundley played almost every game from 1966 to 1969.

Learning Process
Boccabella barely saw time with the Cubs in ’67 and ’68—just 25 and seven games. He spent most of those seasons in the minors, learning the ropes as a catcher and adapting to the new demands.

Notable Moments with the Cubs

Boccabella had some memorable moments with Chicago. In spring training 1967, Durocher even gave him the first base job over Ernie Banks for a minute, but that didn’t last long.

Two-Homer Game
On September 12, 1965, at Candlestick Park, Boccabella hit two home runs off Warren Spahn of the Giants. Those were the only runs Spahn allowed that day, and it ended up being Spahn’s 363rd and final career win.

Contract Complications
In December 1967, the New York Yankees bought Boccabella’s contract and sent him to Syracuse. He refused to sign because of a proposed pay cut and even thought about quitting baseball to work for the phone company in San Francisco.

Cubs GM John Holland got his rights back because Durocher wasn’t happy with backup catcher John Stephenson. That move kept Boccabella with the Cubs until the 1968 expansion draft.

Montreal Expos Era

The Montreal Expos picked up John Boccabella in the 1968 expansion draft, which kicked off his most productive stretch in pro baseball. He went from a utility guy to the team’s primary catcher, anchoring the defense during the Expos’ early seasons at Jarry Park.

Selection in the Expansion Draft

On October 14, 1968, the Montreal Expos picked Boccabella in the fifth round of the National League expansion draft, 28th out of their 30 picks.

The Cubs left him unprotected, probably because he hadn’t hit much in Chicago. The Expos saw something in his defensive skills and flexibility.

Montreal GM Jim Fanning later called him “a great credit to the Expos.” The pick gave Boccabella a real shot at regular major league playing time. He stuck with the franchise for six seasons and became one of their steadiest players.

Utility Role and Position Flexibility

Boccabella’s first year in Montreal was rough. He played in just 40 games, got 94 plate appearances, and hit only .105 with nine hits. He backed up Ron Brand and John Bateman at catcher, but also played first base and outfield.

His ability to handle different positions made him valuable to manager Gene Mauch. Expansion teams needed guys who could fill in all over the field, and Boccabella’s versatility kept him in the lineup even when his bat was cold.

The 1969 season brought the buzz of expansion baseball. Boccabella later called it a highlight, saying, “the fans with their mad cheering win or lose. The parades and all that. I don’t think I’ll see anything like it again.”

Becoming the Primary Catcher

By 1970, Boccabella had taken over as Montreal’s main catcher. Coach Larry Doby spent a lot of time with him in spring training, working on his hitting. That paid off—he set a career high with a .269 average.

Pitcher Mike Marshall liked throwing to him, saying he improved “because they got rid of John Bateman,” meaning Boccabella had taken over the main catching duties.

Manager Gene Mauch valued his steady presence. In 1973, Mauch said, “He exerts a quiet kind of leadership over our pitching staff that isn’t very visible, but you know it’s there.” Mauch also called him “the possessor of the softest hands and fastest release in the game.”

Memorable Games at Jarry Park

Public address announcer Claude Mouton made Boccabella’s at-bats unforgettable at Jarry Park. Mouton would stretch out “Jooohhnnn Bocc-a-beelllllaaaaaaaa,” loving the musical sound of his Italian name. That call became a signature at Expos games.

His best season came in 1973, when he played the most games of his career. On July 6, 1973, Boccabella became the first Expo to hit two home runs in a single game, doing it against the Houston Astros at Jarry Park.

Catching prospect Barry Foote eventually took over his spot. With playing time shrinking, the Expos traded Boccabella to the San Francisco Giants before the 1974 season, ending his productive Montreal run.

1974 Season and Retirement

John Boccabella’s last year in the majors closed out an 11-year career across three teams. After the Expos traded him to his hometown San Francisco Giants in March 1974, the veteran catcher played one more season before retiring at 33.

Trade to San Francisco Giants

On March 27, 1974, the Montreal Expos traded Boccabella to the San Francisco Giants for right-hander Don Carrithers. The Expos had been looking to move Boccabella since the end of the 1973 season, talking to several teams about possible deals.

The trade brought Boccabella back home. Born in San Francisco on June 29, 1941, he grew up in nearby San Anselmo in Marin County. The Giants became his third and final MLB team after his stints with the Chicago Cubs (1963-1968) and Montreal Expos (1969-1973).

For Montreal, the deal closed the book on Boccabella’s best years. He’d been their main catcher in 1973, his top season in the majors. The Expos saw the trade as a chance to get value for a veteran while making room for younger players.

Final MLB Season Overview

Boccabella wrapped up his professional baseball career with San Francisco in 1974. Playing for his hometown Giants, he mainly filled in as a backup catcher and utility guy.

His role shrank a lot compared to his starting gig with Montreal the year before. The 1974 season really felt like a quiet conclusion to his MLB run.

He hit .219 over his career with 26 home runs in 551 games, but with the Giants, chances to play just dried up. Even though his defense and leadership still mattered, he found himself on the bench more often than not.

Playing for the Giants let Boccabella finish his career close to home. As a Bay Area native, he finally played pro ball in front of family and friends who’d cheered him on since his Marin Catholic days.

Decision to Retire from Professional Baseball

After the 1974 season, Boccabella decided to retire at age 33. His final MLB appearance came on September 19, 1974, ending an 11-year run that started with the Chicago Cubs in 1963.

He moved on to a new career outside baseball. For 19 years, he worked as a marketing rep for Pacific Gas and Electric before retiring in 1993.

This change let him stay in the Bay Area and gave his family some stability. Retiring felt right after he’d lived out his childhood dream of making the majors.

Boccabella battled through some rough stretches at the plate to become a respected defensive catcher. He threw out 41 percent of base stealers during his career.

Teams valued his steady leadership and defense, and he contributed to three organizations over his playing days.

Career Statistics and Highlights

John Boccabella put together a solid, if not flashy, 12-season Major League career from 1963 to 1974. He kept a .219 batting average across 551 games and showed off his defensive skills and versatility by handling multiple positions.

Batting and Fielding Records

Boccabella’s numbers at the plate show he had his share of struggles. He ended up with 320 hits and 26 home runs over those 12 seasons.

His 148 RBIs and 117 runs scored mostly came during his busier years with the Montreal Expos. In 1970, after working closely with coach Larry Doby in spring training, he hit his career-best average of .269.

He hit his first big league home run on September 12, 1963, off Cardinals pitcher Ernie Broglio in St. Louis. Two years later, on September 12, 1965, he had a career day by hitting two home runs against Warren Spahn at Candlestick Park.

Defensive Strengths and Versatility

Boccabella’s real value came from his defense and positional flexibility. He played catcher, first base, and outfield over his career, making him a handy utility player for his teams.

Behind the plate, he really stood out. He threw out 41 percent of runners who tried to steal on him, which is way above the league average.

Manager Gene Mauch praised his defense, saying, “Boc is still the possessor of the softest hands and fastest release in the game.” Mauch also pointed out his quiet leadership with the pitching staff.

Leo Durocher told him in 1966, “If I’m going to keep you, you’re going to become a catcher.” That switch from first base to catcher kept his career going and made him more valuable.

Noteworthy Career Achievements

Boccabella’s best years came with the Montreal Expos from 1969 to 1973. In 1973, he played the most and became a key part of their catching group.

Before he made it to the majors, he picked up Pioneer League Rookie of the Year honors in 1963 at Pocatello, Idaho. He hit .365 with 30 home runs and 92 RBIs in only 84 games.

At Santa Clara University, he made the second-team All-American squad in 1962 when the team reached the College World Series final.

He played for three major league teams: the Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, and San Francisco Giants. His last game was September 19, 1974, against the Cincinnati Reds, finishing a career that spanned parts of 12 seasons.

Post-Baseball Life and Legacy

John Boccabella left pro baseball and built a solid 19-year career at Pacific Gas & Electric Company. He kept ties to the sport through his unique experiences with the Cubs, Expos, and San Francisco Giants.

His post-baseball life showed the same dedication he brought to the field.

Career After Baseball

Boccabella started thinking about life after baseball while still playing for the Montreal Expos. Thanks to his mother-in-law, he got in touch with a personnel agency and spent five years checking out different options before landing at Pacific Gas & Electric Company.

In 1975, at 33, he joined PG&E as a new-business rep in the marketing department. The Bay Area was booming then, with new homes and apartments popping up everywhere.

“I always thought PG&E was a great company. It was solid and reliable, and that’s all I was looking for,” Boccabella said.

He coordinated gas and electric service for new construction. He’d meet builders at sites, look over utility maps, and help plan service for homes and subdivisions.

Key responsibilities included:

• Meeting with builders and contractors
• Coordinating utility service installations
• Speaking at service clubs about PG&E energy programs
• Explaining natural gas programs to community groups

He found the work interesting, especially with so many people moving from San Francisco and the Peninsula to Marin County. His business degree from Santa Clara University helped him get the job, and his baseball background gave him a good icebreaker with new people.

He retired from PG&E in 1993 at 51 with an early retirement package.

Impact on Teams and Teammates

Boccabella made an impact on three franchises during his 12-year career. With the Chicago Cubs, he played alongside legends like Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Ferguson Jenkins from 1963 to 1968.

He became an original member of the Montreal Expos in 1969 when MLB expanded into Canada. His most productive season was 1973, when he finally got the chance to start behind the plate.

That year, he pulled off something special: he hit two home runs in one inning against the Houston Astros. The second was a grand slam, making him one of just three catchers in baseball history to do that.

His time with the San Francisco Giants in 1974 brought things full circle. He played 29 games in his home region before knee injuries led him to retire.

“The Giants told me they wanted me as a backup catcher, but I’d have to take a pay cut,” Boccabella said. “I was 33. I told them I appreciated the offer, but I’ve got three kids. It’s time to get a job.”

Recognition and Honors

Boccabella put up steady numbers over his 12 seasons—he hit .219, knocked 26 home runs, and drove in 148 runs in 551 games. He had a few big moments, like multiple two-home run games and even that rare two-homer inning.

Back before he turned pro, he stood out as the 1959 California high school player of the year at Marin Catholic. At Santa Clara University, he grabbed second-team All-American honors and led the Broncos to the 1962 College World Series finals, batting .357.

Career highlights:

• Original Montreal Expos team member (1969)
• Two home runs in one inning (1973)
• Multiple two-homer games
• 12-year MLB career with three teams

After baseball, Boccabella found recognition in other ways. He settled in Marin County with his wife, three kids, and nine grandkids, and his MLB and PG&E pensions made sure he stayed comfortable.

Now at 82, he goes to mass every day and keeps active in his community. You can really see how his success in both sports and corporate life shows the importance of planning ahead and being adaptable.

“If I needed to work, I would’ve stayed at PG&E,” Boccabella said when talking about retirement. That pretty much sums up the financial stability he found in both careers.