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

John Boozer might not be a name everyone recognizes in baseball, but his seven-year run with the Philadelphia Phillies is full of grit and some pretty wild stories. This right-handed pitcher from Columbia, South Carolina, found his place as both a starter and a reliever in the 1960s, getting into 171 games between 1962 and 1969.

Boozer stands out as one of just four players in Major League Baseball history to get tossed from a game for breaking the spitball rule. That moment happened on May 2, 1968, when home plate umpire Ed Vargo ejected both Boozer and manager Gene Mauch after warning them several times about Boozer touching his fingers to his mouth during warm-ups. Vargo called three balls on batter Bud Harrelson as penalties before finally sending Boozer and Mauch packing.

But there’s more to Boozer’s career than just that spitball drama. He worked his way up from Wofford College to the majors, even playing winter ball in Puerto Rico where he once showed up at an all-star game dressed as a clown to entertain the crowd. When he wrapped up his career in 1969, he’d racked up 282 strikeouts and 15 saves, all over almost two decades in pro ball.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

John Morgan Boozer was born July 6, 1938, in Columbia, South Carolina. He grew up in the close-knit community of Caughmanville and eventually made a name for himself as a standout pitcher at Wofford College.

He led the team with 90 strikeouts as a freshman, which definitely caught the eye of Philadelphia Phillies scouts. They signed him in 1958.

Family Background and Childhood

John Morgan Boozer’s parents, John G. Boozer, Jr. and Zela Caughman Boozer, raised him in Columbia, South Carolina. He and his brother Thomas grew up in the Caughmanville area, not far from Columbia.

Caughmanville was mostly made up of the Caughman family and folks who married into it, so everyone knew each other. That kind of tight-knit environment shaped Boozer’s early years.

The Boozer family stayed in South Carolina while John was growing up. His mom’s maiden name, Caughman, tied them right into the heart of the community.

That rural upbringing gave Boozer a down-to-earth vibe. Even after he made it to the big leagues, you could still see a bit of Caughmanville in him.

Wofford College Baseball Achievements

Boozer started at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and wasted no time making an impression as a pitcher. As a freshman in 1957, he led the team with 90 strikeouts.

That performance got him recognized as one of the top players on the squad. He came back for his sophomore year in 1958 and lettered again for the Terriers.

At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Boozer looked the part, and scouts described him as “a touch wild but fast.” His size and speed made him stand out.

Major league scouts noticed his strikeouts and physical tools. They saw real potential in him.

Signing with the Philadelphia Phillies

In early July 1958, Philadelphia Phillies scout A.C. Swails signed Boozer, who was just 19, to a pro contract. He’d just finished his sophomore season at Wofford.

The signing bonus was big enough to later pay for his degree from the University of South Carolina. That kind of investment showed the Phillies thought he had a future on the mound.

The Philadelphia Phillies really believed in Boozer’s potential. His college numbers and physical skills made him a solid pick for their farm system.

After signing, Boozer joined the Brunswick Phillies in the Class D Georgia-Florida League. That was the first step in his professional baseball journey with Philadelphia.

Professional Career Beginnings

John Boozer kicked off his pro career in 1958 after signing with the Phillies, still a student at Wofford College. He moved up the minor league ladder pretty fast, and by 1961, he’d put together a season that turned heads and got him noticed as one of the top prospects in the organization.

Minor League Progression

Boozer signed his contract with Phillies scout A.C. Swails in July 1958. At 19, reports called him “a touch wild but fast.”

He started out with the Brunswick Phillies in the Class D Georgia-Florida League. In eight games—five of them starts—he went 3-4 and posted a 3.67 ERA.

Next, the Phillies sent him to the Tampa Tarpons of the Florida State League. He worked mostly as a starter, making 27 starts and logging 208 innings. He finished 12-15 with a 3.33 ERA, leading the team in starts and innings.

In 1960, Boozer pitched for Des Moines in the Class B Three-I League. He went 15-9, showing better control and more consistency.

Notable Minor League Highlights

Boozer’s breakout year came in 1961 with Double-A Chattanooga. He went 19-9 and put up a 2.61 ERA.

He threw four shutouts during a seven-game win streak. That got him picked for the Southern Association All-Star Game.

Boozer led the Lookouts in wins and innings, tossing 207 frames. The team won the Southern Association pennant, and Boozer was their ace all season.

He finished the year as the Southern Association’s Rookie of the Year. That honor made him one of the top young players in the league and a prized Phillies prospect.

Transition to Major League Baseball

After his huge 1961 season, Boozer got his first invite to big league spring training with the Phillies in 1962. He didn’t make the team out of camp, so they sent him to Triple-A Buffalo.

At Buffalo, Boozer went 8-6 before getting called up in July. He made his MLB debut on July 22, 1962, tossing three innings of one-run relief against the Milwaukee Braves.

Boozer made eight more appearances for the Phillies that year. He didn’t pick up a win or loss but finished with a 5.75 ERA as he adjusted to the majors.

After 1961, Boozer never played below Triple-A again. The Phillies showed a lot of faith in him, moving him up quickly and giving him a real shot at the majors.

Major League Baseball Career with the Philadelphia Phillies

John Boozer spent his whole eight-year MLB career with the Philadelphia Phillies, from 1962 to 1969, mostly as a relief pitcher. He went 14-16 with a 3.80 ERA in 172 games, piling up 282 strikeouts and five saves in the National League.

Role as a Pitcher

Boozer broke into the majors as a reliever, debuting on July 22, 1962, against the Milwaukee Braves. He threw three innings and gave up just one run.

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 205 pounds, Boozer became a regular in the Phillies’ bullpen for most of his career. In 1968, he made 38 appearances, all in relief, which was his most consistent season.

He did get a few starts now and then. On July 18, 1963, he threw a complete game three-hitter against the Houston Colt .45s for his first big league win.

Boozer picked up his first save on June 15, 1963, tossing 2⅓ scoreless innings to close out a win over the St. Louis Cardinals. He ended up with five career saves.

Seasons with the Phillies and Performance Highlights

His best year was probably 1963, when he posted a career-low 2.93 ERA and went 3-4. He spent almost the whole season with the Phillies, making just six appearances for Triple-A Arkansas.

The 1964 season was rough. Boozer pitched in four games during the Phillies’ infamous ten-game losing streak that cost them the pennant. He took the loss in game five, a 12-inning, 7-5 heartbreaker to Milwaukee.

After spending all of 1965 in the minors, Boozer came back strong in 1967. He started out with an ugly 18.00 ERA in his first four games, but then he turned things around.

From June 25 on, Boozer went 5-4 with a save and a 2.88 ERA. That stretch started with a six-inning relief win over St. Louis, where he struck out seven.

In 1968, Boozer spent the whole year in the majors for the first and only time.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Boozer relied on his fastball, though scouts said he was “a touch wild.” Phillies pitching coach Larry Shepard helped him tweak his grip in 1967, which added movement to his fastball.

He also threw a curveball, and Shepard taught him to mix up the speed. That adjustment really helped him in the later part of his career.

Boozer got a reputation for pushing the boundaries of the spitball rule. On May 2, 1968, at Shea Stadium, he got ejected during warm-ups for going to his mouth on the mound after manager Gene Mauch told him to challenge the umpire.

He averaged about 35 strikeouts a season, which made him a solid bullpen arm even when his ERA bounced around.

When Boozer focused on fundamentals instead of his offbeat antics, his performance on the mound improved a lot.

Memorable Incidents and Notable Moments

John Boozer’s career had its share of unforgettable moments. He brought a quirky personality to the game and even played a role in changing baseball history. The spitball controversy stands out, but his relationship with his manager was just as memorable.

1968 Spitball Controversy with Ed Vargo

The wildest moment in Boozer’s career came on May 2, 1968, at Shea Stadium in a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets. It started when umpire Ed Vargo called “Ball one” after Boozer went to his mouth during warm-up pitches.

Gene Mauch jumped out to defend Boozer and asked what would happen if he did it again. Vargo said he’d call ball two. Mauch, not backing down, told Boozer to go for it again.

Boozer did, and Vargo called ball two. Mauch pushed it a third time, and Vargo called ball three and then ejected both Boozer and Mauch. Boozer didn’t even get to finish his warm-ups or face a batter.

The next day, NL President Warren Giles ruled that the spitball rule didn’t actually apply to warm-up pitches. That ruling came because of Boozer’s strange ejection.

Relationship with Manager Gene Mauch

Gene Mauch stuck with Boozer, even though he had a reputation for being a bit eccentric. Their partnership hit a high point during the 1968 spitball incident, when Mauch intentionally escalated things to make a statement about the rules.

Mauch’s faith in Boozer paid off in 1967. On June 25, Mauch pinch-hit for starter Dick Ellsworth after just three innings against St. Louis and handed the ball to Boozer.

Boozer answered with six innings of one-run relief, striking out seven and picking up the win. It was his first big league victory since August 15, 1964. Mauch knew how to look past Boozer’s quirks and get the most out of him on the field.

Key Games and Milestones

Boozer picked up his first major league win on July 18, 1963, tossing a 5-1 three-hitter against the Houston Colt .45’s. That complete game really stood out as the highlight of his pitching days.

He made his major league debut on July 22, 1962, pitching three innings of one-run relief against the Milwaukee Braves.

In mid-June 1963, he nailed down his first save, throwing 2⅓ scoreless innings against the Cardinals in St. Louis.

During the Philadelphia Phillies’ infamous 1964 collapse, Boozer appeared four times in their crushing ten-game losing streak. He took the loss in game five of that stretch, a 12-inning 7-5 defeat to Milwaukee.

On August 15, 1964, Boozer got credited with an assist on a rare triple play against the New York Mets. That defensive play turned into one of the few bright spots during Philadelphia’s pennant-losing season.

1969 Season and Retirement

John Boozer’s final season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1969 closed out his seven-year major league career. He pitched in 46 games as a reliever and collected five saves before deciding to retire from professional baseball.

Performance in Final MLB Season

Boozer worked exclusively out of the bullpen in 1969. He took the mound in 46 games for the Phillies and logged 31.1 innings.

He posted an ERA of 3.16 that year. Even in his last season, the veteran managed to notch 5 saves, showing he still had something left in late-game situations.

Boozer’s numbers stayed pretty steady that summer. In June 1969, he put up a 2.60 ERA over 17.1 innings with 5 saves. Then in July, he finished with a 3.86 ERA in 14 innings and added one more save.

He picked up his only win of the season on July 11, 1969, against the Chicago Cubs. Boozer made two starts that year, facing the San Francisco Giants on August 5 and the Atlanta Braves on August 13.

He made his final big league appearance in September 1969. Baseball Reference lists his career totals at 282 strikeouts across 172 games, all with Philadelphia.

Retirement Announcement and Circumstances

Boozer wrapped up his playing career after the 1969 season. He spent his entire professional run with the Philadelphia Phillies organization, covering 12 seasons overall with the club.

His performance that last year probably played a part in his decision to step away. At 31, Boozer had put together a major league record of 14 wins and 16 losses.

He joined the Phillies in 1962 and stuck with the team through parts of seven seasons in the majors. His retirement came at a time when quite a few National League players were calling it quits in 1969.

Boozer’s career covered the 1960s, and he became one of just four major league players ejected for spitball violations. When he retired, he closed the book on a steady relief pitching career that lasted nearly a decade.

Statistical Legacy and Recognition

John Boozer’s eight years with the Philadelphia Phillies produced numbers that really show his role as a dependable bullpen arm during the 1960s. His stats still live on in major baseball research databases, giving folks a peek at National League pitching from that era.

Career Statistics and Rankings

Boozer finished with a 14-16 win-loss record and a career ERA that put him right in the mix as a middle-relief specialist. He appeared in 172 games from 1962 to 1969, mostly coming out of the bullpen for the Phillies.

His top statistical season happened in 1969, when he recorded 6 saves—a personal best that was pretty solid for relievers in those days. Boozer pitched in 46 games that year and proved his durability and value.

The right-hander collected modest strikeout totals throughout his run. His numbers line up with what you’d expect from National League relievers before bullpen roles got so specialized.

Analysis of Pitching Metrics

Boozer’s pitching stats show a guy who did his job without flashy numbers. His ERA went up and down over the years, which kind of comes with the territory for middle relievers in the National League.

He didn’t record any shutouts, but that’s not surprising since he mainly worked out of the bullpen. His save totals were respectable for the time, back when the closer role wasn’t really set in stone.

No one calculated advanced stats like WAR (Wins Above Replacement) during Boozer’s career. Modern researchers have gone back and applied those numbers to get a better sense of his contributions.

Inclusion in Baseball Research Resources

Baseball Reference keeps detailed stats from Boozer’s career, including his minor league numbers and biographical info. That database is the go-to spot for anyone digging into his playing days.

SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) added Boozer to their biographical project. They published some pretty in-depth research about his career in their 1964 Philadelphia Phillies team study.

Retrosheet preserved game-by-game data from Boozer’s appearances, so researchers can break down his performance in specific situations. Thanks to these resources, his statistical legacy stays available to future baseball fans and historians.

Personal Life and Legacy

John Morgan Boozer left professional baseball behind and moved into public service after retiring in 1969. He spent 15 years developing recreational facilities in Lexington County, South Carolina, before passing away from Hodgkin’s disease in 1986.

Life After Baseball

After his baseball career, Boozer returned to his roots in South Carolina. He used his Phillies signing bonus to earn a degree from the University of South Carolina.

He became Lexington County’s first recreation director in 1970. That move marked a total shift from pro sports to community service.

For 15 years, Boozer worked on building playgrounds and playing fields throughout the county. His efforts built up recreational infrastructure that served local families and youth programs.

Community and Family

Boozer lived in the Caughmanville area where he grew up. That community mostly consisted of the Caughman family and those who married into it.

He married Ann, and they had two sons, Ian and Curt. The family kept close ties to the local community during his post-baseball years.

Boozer got diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease in the early 1980s. Even after that, he continued working on the county’s recreation system until late 1985.

People in Lexington County recognized his dedication to public service. Local officials appreciated his commitment to improving recreational opportunities for residents.

Remembering John Boozer

John Boozer passed away on January 24, 1986, at just 47 years old in Lexington, South Carolina. Folks laid him to rest at Pilgrim Lutheran Church Cemetery back in his hometown.

When he died, the community was building a recreation center. They named it after him, which feels like a fitting tribute to the way he always showed up for others.

His mother, brother Thomas, wife Ann, and sons Ian and Curt survived him. The family stayed in the Lexington area, carrying on after his loss.

The John Boozer Recreation Center is really the heart of his legacy outside of baseball. He went from being this quirky relief pitcher to someone people truly respected as a community leader, and that says a lot about the kind of person he was.