Aaron Boone, who played with the Nats last season, announced this week that he needed to have open heart surgery to correct a defective valve.
Boone has known about his heart condition for years, but it was something his doctors always told him he could play through -- until this season. His routine physical showed the condition was worsening. And, although it's not an emergency, it's something he needed to take care of before playing.
He'll miss the season, and at age 36, it's entirely possible that his career is over.
Boone is the son of current Nationals executive Bob Boone. His grandfather, Ray, was a power-hitting third baseman for the Indians and Tigers in the '50s.
Boone has a strong reputation as a good guy in the game. When he's signed his last few contracts, the teams have trumpeted his veteran leadership as one of the main reasons.
Early in his career, he was a solid performer for Jim Bowden's Reds teams. He mostly played third, but also saw time at short. He had a decent power stroke, and a good defensive reputation.
But it won't be what he did in a Reds uniform that'll define Boone's career. There's the little matter of a home run he hit -- perhaps you've seen it one of the 14,000 times that ESPN has run it? -- against the Red Sox to give the Yankees the pennant.
Boone used to get tired of questions about it: ''I tried to distance myself from it for a long time. ... Now I appreciate it and realize it's pretty cool that I got to be part of such a great moment. It's what I'm known for, and when I'm in an airport or a restaurant, it's what people want to talk about. I'm fine with it. This is a great game. I feel proud of it.''
It's that sense of perspective that will likely help him deal with the challenges he's facing.
Chris Needham used to write Capitol Punishment. He thanks Grady Little for the Boone homer.
