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SAN DIEGO - Two-time All-Star Ray Boone, patriarch of a three-generation baseball family, died early Sunday after a long illness. He was 81.
Mr. Boone had been hospitalized for six months with complications from surgery, his wife, Pat, said.
"It's a blessing," she said. "He had a great life."
Mr. Boone played from 1948-60 with six teams and was followed into the big leagues by son Bob and grandsons Bret and Aaron.
"We were the first three-generation family," Pat Boone said. "We're not the only one, but we were the first."
Mr. Boone was an infielder who had a career .275 average with 151 home runs and 737 RBIs. He played for the Indians, Tigers, White Sox, Kansas City A's, Milwaukee Braves and the Red Sox.
He was an All-Star third baseman for Detroit in 1954 and 1956.
Bob Boone played from 1972-90, and Bret Boone broke into the big leagues with Seattle in 1992. Aaron Boone made his debut in 1997.
The Boone family was the first to send three generations to the All-Star Game.
In 2000, when Bret Boone played for San Diego, he and his father and grandfather threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the home opener.
SOSA GRIEVANCE: SammySosa's grievance over the Cubs' $87,400 fine for leaving during the regular-season finale might be tabled until next season, the Chicago Tribune reported.
If the Cubs are unable to trade Sosa, they could begin spring training with the biggest fine in team history hovering over the disgruntled rightfielder.
Bob DuPuy, president and chief executive officer of Major League Baseball, told the Tribune that no hearing had been scheduled and there was no hurry to resolve the grievance.
"It will be scheduled when it meets everybody's convenience," he said.