Former Twins pitcher Boof Bonser says he has retired in an interview with Twinkie Town. (The news was initially reported in January on the blog Boston Sports For Life.) The 33-year-old Bonser last pitched competitively in 2014, when he made 12 appearances for Bridgeport in the independent Atlantic League. He last appeared in the big leagues in 2010.
The Giants took Bonser with the 21st overall pick in the 2000 draft, then sent him to Minnesota with Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano in their infamous trade for A.J. Pierzynski. Bonser stuck in the big leagues with the Twins for the better part of three years, first as a starter and then as a reliever, before shoulder troubles caused him to miss the 2009 season. The Twins traded Bonser to Boston the following year, and he made brief appearances with the Red Sox and Athletics before spending several seasons in the minors. Bonser finishes his career with a 5.18 ERA, 7.2 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 416 2/3 big-league innings.
A blast from the past!
Only the second Boof I ever heard of. (the other being Michael J. Fox’s girlfriend on Teen Wolf.)
One of the best baseball names ever. The active titleholder, Francisley Bueno, can’t hold a candle to Boof.
Ariquimedes Caminero
I’m partial to Tucker Barnhart, or Tuffy Gosewisch.
Razor Shines tops all, sir.
Dick Pole.
And I think that, out of the two Boofs, she might have had better command.
What a great name, too bad he had injury issues, so long Boof!
End of an era.
Great name, seemed like a good guy, fair career. So what are his chances in 2019? 😉
Slam dunk, first ballot for sure.
We are talking about the Hall of Great Baseball Nicknames here, right?
Boof goes poof. Sad day, indeed.