Hubbry Logo
Boof BonserBoof BonserMain
Open search
Boof Bonser
Community hub
Boof Bonser
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Boof Bonser
Boof Bonser
Boof Bonser
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

John Paul "Boof" Bonser (born October 14, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and Oakland Athletics.

Key Information

High school career

[edit]

Bonser attended Gibbs High School, compiling a record of 24–9 and a 1.99 earned run average. In his senior year, he went 7–3 with a 1.88 ERA and hit .523 with 11 home runs. He was named the 2000 Pinellas County High School Player of the Year and played in the 2000 Florida State All-Star game.[1]

Minor league career

[edit]

Bonser was selected out of high school by the San Francisco Giants in the first round (21st overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft.[2] He made his professional baseball debut at age 18 for the Single-A Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, going 1–4 with a 6.00 ERA in 10 games (nine starts).[3] In 2001, he had a breakout season for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns, leading the South Atlantic League in wins (16), and finishing second in strikeouts (178), which earned him South Atlantic League Most Valuable Pitcher and post-season All-Star honors.[4] After the season, he had his first name legally changed to his childhood nickname, "Boof".[5]

From 2002 through 2003, Bonser progressed steadily through the Giants' system, reaching the Triple-A level at the end of the 2003 season with the Fresno Grizzlies.[3] On November 14, 2003, Bonser was traded to the Minnesota Twins organization, along with pitchers Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano, for catcher A. J. Pierzynski, and cash.[6] Bonser was assigned to Double-A New Britain for 2004, and was promoted to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings for a spot start at the end of the season. He then spent the entire 2005 season in Rochester.[3]

As Bonser continued to pitch in the minors without any further breakout seasons, his status as an elite prospect faded, but after a fast start at Rochester in 2006 in which he posted an earned run average of 2.01, he was promoted to the majors.[7]

Bonser was inducted into the Hagerstown Suns Hall of Fame on May 14, 2016.[8]

Major league career

[edit]

Rookie season

[edit]
Bonser warming up in Cleveland in 2006

On May 17, 2006, Bonser was called up to the Twins to replace struggling starter Kyle Lohse in the rotation, with Lohse going to Triple-A.[7] Bonser made his major league debut on May 21, as the starting pitcher against the Milwaukee Brewers. In six innings, he allowed one run and struck out eight.[9] On May 27, his second start, Bonser earned his first major league victory in a 9–5 win over the Seattle Mariners. Bonser pitched five innings, giving up eight hits and four runs, including a home run.[10] His second win came against the Chicago Cubs on June 24. He pitched 6+1⁄3 scoreless innings, allowing six hits and no walks, with one strikeout.[11]

After a disappointing start against the Kansas City Royals on July 4, Bonser was returned to Triple-A Rochester. He had made seven major league starts, going 2–2 with a 5.30 ERA.[12] After a month at Rochester, he was called up to make an emergency start on August 2 in place of the injured Francisco Liriano, then sent back to Rochester after the game, in which he gave up seven runs in four innings.[13]

By August 12, Liriano had been placed on the disabled list, and Bonser was back in Minneapolis to face the Toronto Blue Jays. Although he lost the game, allowing seven hits and three runs over 5+2⁄3 innings, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire decided to keep him in the starting rotation.[14] As the Twins pushed for a playoff spot in 2006, Bonser solidified the fifth starter's job. Then, a string of injuries and ineffective pitching by other Twins pitchers and Bonser's commanding recent performances earned him the #2 spot in the Twins' postseason rotation. In his postseason start, he pitched six innings, allowing two runs, to pick up a no-decision as the Twins lost to the Oakland Athletics.[15]

Bonser was named the AL Rookie of the Month for September 2006 for his performances in the final month of the season.[16] He finished the season 7–6 with a 4.22 ERA in 18 starts.[17]

2007: First full season

[edit]

Bonser began the 2007 season as the second pitcher in the Twins rotation, behind Johan Santana. Bonser's first two starts were dramatically different, as he followed a six inning start in which he allowed two earned runs by allowing six earned runs in 4+1⁄3 innings.[18] He then responded with a string of quality starts, but was 2–9 after Memorial Day. In 31 games (30 starts), Bonser posted an 8–12 record with a 5.10 ERA, and had 136 strikeouts in 173 innings pitched.[17]

2008 season

[edit]

After the 2007 season, the Twins organization became worried about Bonser's weight. He had struggled with stamina and pitching late into ball games during the 2007 season, so the Twins encouraged him to lose weight, which he accomplished by a healthier diet, combined with more intense exercise.[19] He lost thirty pounds by the start of the 2008 regular season.[20] Bonser pitched the second game in the 2008 Twins' season, and was the only returning starter who had pitched at least twelve games for the Twins during the previous season.[21]

However, Bonser's weight loss did not help his starting pitching performances through May 31, as he compiled a mark of 2–6 with a 6.16 earned run average, and was demoted to the bullpen to make room for Scott Baker.[22]

After his demotion, Bonser made his first relief appearance for the Twins on June 4 against the Baltimore Orioles. In that game he pitched 2+2⁄3 scoreless innings, striking out four and picking up the win.[23]

Through August 23, Bonser's earned run average was 6.22 overall and 6.96 as a reliever.[24]

2009 season

[edit]

On February 25, 2009, Bonser underwent surgery to repair tears in his labrum and rotator cuff, and missed the entire 2009 season.[25]

He was designated for assignment by the Twins on December 8, 2009.[26] On December 10, Bonser was traded to the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later.[27] That player was minor league right-handed pitcher Chris Province.[28]

2010 season

[edit]

Bonser started the year on the disabled list, and was not activated until June 8.[29] He made two appearances for the Red Sox, giving up two walks, six hits, and four earned runs in two innings pitched.[17] He recorded no outs in the first appearance, accumulating an earned run average of 18.00 in the two appearances.[17][30] The Red Sox designated him for assignment on June 18, but he elected to become a free agent after refusing minor league assignment on June 28.[31][32] He signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics and spent July at Triple-A Sacramento.[33] On July 31, Bonser was called up by the A's.[34]

After the A's outrighted Bonser to Sacramento on November 2, he refused the assignment, and elected to become a free agent again.[35]

2011 season

[edit]

On December 7, 2010, Bonser signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets.[36] He made his pitching debut for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on April 10, 2011. He pitched 3+2⁄3 innings, giving up one run on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts.[3] He threw 59 pitches, 35 for strikes. Bonser left the game with an injury in the fourth inning. He underwent Tommy John surgery and did not pitch the rest of the year.[37]

2012 season

[edit]

Bonser signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on December 28, 2011.[38] He did not pitch in 2012 while still recovering from elbow surgery.

2013 season

[edit]

After posting a 5.87 earned run average at Triple-A Fresno, the Giants released Bonser from his minor league contract on June 27.[39] Just three days later, on June 30, he signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians.[40] The Indians released Bonser on August 2 after he went 0–2 with a 6.00 ERA in three games (one start) with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers of the International League.[3] He finished the season in Taiwan with the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League, going 1–0 with a 1.76 ERA in 11 relief appearances.[3]

2014 season

[edit]

Bonser joined the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs where he appeared in 12 games, pitched 16.2 innings, and struck out 15 batters while going 2–0 with a 2.16 earned run average.[3]

Bonser retired on January 4, 2015.[41]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Boof Bonser

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Boof Bonser, born John Paul Bonser on October 14, 1981, in , is a former American pitcher known for his right-handed throwing and batting style, who appeared in (MLB) primarily as a for the from 2006 to 2008 and in relief roles for the Boston Red Sox and in 2010. Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the first round (21st overall) of the 2000 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, Bonser was traded to the Twins on November 14, 2003, along with Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano, in exchange for catcher A. J. Pierzynski. He made his MLB debut on May 21, 2006, with the Twins, where he quickly established himself as a rotation mainstay, posting a 7–6 record with a 4.22 ERA and 84 strikeouts over 18 starts in his rookie season. Over his four-year MLB tenure, Bonser compiled a career record of 19 wins and 25 losses, a 5.18 earned run average (ERA), 334 strikeouts, and 416⅔ innings pitched across 111 appearances (60 starts), while also contributing to the Twins' 2006 American League Division Series appearance. Bonser's early promise included earning the Rookie of the Month award for September 2006 after going 4–1 with a 2.63 in six starts, but injuries and performance inconsistencies, including shoulder issues that led to a 5.93 in and caused him to miss the season due to , limited his big-league staying power. After his MLB stints, he continued his professional career in the , independent leagues, and Taiwan's (CPBL) until 2014, amassing over 1,000 . His "Boof," which he legally adopted in 2001, originated from childhood and became his professional identity.

Early life and amateur career

Early life and education

John Paul Bonser was born on October 14, 1981, in St. Petersburg, Florida. From an early age, his mother, Eileen, affectionately nicknamed him "Boof," a name that stuck with him throughout childhood and which he legally adopted in late 2001. Bonser grew up in nearby Pinellas Park, Florida, where he spent his formative years before attending Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg.

High school career

Bonser attended Gibbs High School in , where he played and developed into a prominent local talent. Over his high school career, Bonser compiled a 24–9 pitching record with a 1.99 . Known primarily as a , Bonser possessed a powerful that reached speeds of 96 mph during his high school years, establishing him as a dominant arm on the . Entering his senior year, Bonser was recognized as the top power-hitting prospect in the country by Baseball America. In his senior season of 2000, Bonser went 7–3 with a 1.88 on the while showcasing exceptional hitting ability, batting .523 with 11 home runs. For his overall contributions, Bonser was named the 2000 Pinellas County High School Player of the Year and selected to participate in the State . His versatile skills and high-velocity pitching drew intense interest from Major League scouts, positioning him as a prime candidate for .

Professional baseball career

Draft and pre-MLB minor leagues

Bonser was selected by the Giants in the first round, 21st overall, of the out of Gibbs High School in , following a standout prep career that included a 24-9 record and 1.99 over four seasons. He signed with the Giants on July 3, 2000, for a $1.245 million bonus and began his professional career that summer with the Short-Season A of the , where he posted a 1-4 record with a 6.00 in 33 innings, showing early control issues with 29 walks against 41 strikeouts. In 2001, Bonser advanced to full-season A ball with the of the , where he emerged as a top prospect with a breakout 16-4 record, 2.49 , and 178 strikeouts over 134 , earning USA Today's Minor League Player of the Year honors for the Giants' organization. He continued his ascent in 2002, splitting time between High-A (8-6, 2.88 in 128.1 ) and Double-A Shreveport Captains (1-2, 5.55 in 24.1 ), demonstrating improved and secondary pitches. By 2003, Bonser reached Triple-A for the first time with the (1-2, 3.13 in 23 ) after a solid Double-A stint with the Norwich Navigators (7-10, 4.00 in 135 ); he also participated in the with the Grand Canyon Rafters that fall, further honing his skills despite a 6.07 there. On November 14, 2003, the Giants traded Bonser, along with pitchers and , to the in exchange for catcher and cash, a deal that propelled Bonser into a more competitive farm system. With the Twins, he returned to Double-A in 2004 with the New Britain Rock Cats (12-9, 4.37 in 154.1 innings) before a brief Triple-A debut with the (1-0, 1.29 in 7 innings), showcasing better command with just 57 walks across 161.1 total innings. In 2005, Bonser established himself at Triple-A Rochester full-time, going 11-9 with a 3.99 and 168 strikeouts in 160.1 innings, solidifying his readiness for the major leagues while limiting opponents to a .259 . Over his pre-MLB career from 2000 to 2005, Bonser compiled a 58-46 record with a 3.68 in 598.2 innings across five levels, striking out 833 batters while walking 363.

Major league career with the Minnesota Twins

Bonser made his major league debut on May 21, 2006, starting for the against the Brewers at Miller Park. In that , he pitched 6 , allowing 1 earned run on 5 hits while striking out 8 and walking 3, though he did not factor into the decision as the Twins lost 5-3. In his rookie season of 2006, Bonser appeared in 18 games, all starts, for the Twins, compiling a 7-6 record with a 4.22 over 100.1 and 84 strikeouts. His performance improved markedly in September, where he went 4-1 with a 2.63 in 6 starts spanning 37.2 , earning him the Rookie of the Month award for that month. Bonser also made a postseason appearance in the 2006 AL against the , pitching 6 in Game 3 and allowing 2 earned runs for a 3.00 while striking out 3. Bonser transitioned to a full-time role in the Twins' starting rotation in 2007, making 30 starts and posting an 8-12 record with a 5.10 across 173 , the most on the team, while recording 136 strikeouts. Despite the workload, his command issues contributed to 108 runs allowed, the highest in the AL among qualified pitchers. The 2008 season marked a downturn for Bonser with the Twins, as he split time between starting and relief roles in 47 appearances (12 starts), finishing 3-7 with a 5.93 in 118.1 and 97 strikeouts. Early struggles with command and stamina led to his demotion to the in May, where his effectiveness waned further, exacerbated by concerns over his weight and conditioning that limited his ability to pitch deep into games. Persistent shoulder soreness emerged late in the year, foreshadowing future issues. Bonser did not make any major league appearances for the Twins in 2009, missing the entire season while recovering from arthroscopic shoulder surgery on February 25 to repair partial tears in his labrum and ; he spent time on rehabilitation assignments in the minors but was unable to return to the active roster.

Major league career after the Twins

On December 10, 2009, the Minnesota Twins traded Bonser to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a , later identified as minor leaguer Chris Province. Bonser had missed the entire 2009 season while recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right . In 2010, Bonser began the season on the Red Sox's 60-day disabled list due to a right strain sustained in . He was activated on June 7 but made only two relief appearances, allowing four earned runs in 2.0 for an 18.00 . The Red Sox designated him for assignment on June 18 and granted him free agency on June 28. Bonser signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics on July 2, 2010, and was assigned to Triple-A Sacramento. The Athletics selected his contract and recalled him to the majors on July 31, where he worked exclusively as a reliever, appearing in 13 games over 23.0 innings with a 1-0 record and 5.09 ERA. Across his post-Twins major league appearances in 2010, Bonser posted a 1-0 record with a 6.12 ERA in 15 relief outings over 25.0 innings pitched. His limited opportunities stemmed from ongoing injuries, including the prior shoulder issue and the 2010 groin strain, compounded by a velocity drop that had begun in 2008 and reduced his strikeout effectiveness.

Post-MLB minor leagues and international play

After his final Major League appearance in 2010, Bonser signed a minor league contract with the in December of that year. Limited by surgery performed early in 2011, he made just one start for the Triple-A , posting a 0-0 record with a 2.45 ERA over 3.2 innings. In December 2011, Bonser signed another minor league deal with the Giants. He spent most of 2012 recovering further at Triple-A Fresno, where he went 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 34 innings across seven starts and relief outings; he also appeared briefly for the rookie-level League Giants (1-1, 3.38 ERA in 5.1 innings). Later that year, he pitched in the Venezuelan Winter League for the Bravos de Margarita, recording a 0-2 mark and 3.65 ERA in 24.2 innings over six starts. Bonser returned to Triple-A with the Giants in 2013, struggling at Fresno with a 2-6 record and 5.87 in 79.2 over 15 starts. Released in , he signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians and pitched for their Triple-A , going 0-2 with a 6.00 in 15 across three appearances (one start). After his release in August, Bonser joined the of Taiwan's (CPBL), where he excelled in relief, posting a 1-0 record, 1.76 , and eight strikeouts in 15.1 with one save. Bonser remained with the Lions in 2014, transitioning to a more prominent role and delivering his strongest sustained post-MLB stretch with a 3-3 record, 3.23 , 28 strikeouts, and three saves in 39 . Across his two CPBL seasons, he compiled a 4-3 record, 2.82 , and 36 strikeouts in 54.1 , marking his most effective professional output since leaving the majors. Later that year, following his CPBL stint, Bonser signed with Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League, where he went 2-0 with a 2.16 and 15 strikeouts in 16.2 over 12 games. His post-MLB career featured sporadic appearances primarily in , with overall limited due to ongoing recovery from injuries.

Retirement

Bonser officially retired from in 2015, following a period of unsuccessful attempts to secure contracts after his final playing stint in the independent Atlantic League during the 2014 season. In a May 2015 interview, he confirmed his decision, stating, "No phone calls from anyone so I'm finished," reflecting the lack of interest from teams as a key factor in ending his career. Throughout his career, Bonser faced significant challenges from injuries, including surgery in April 2011 while pitching in Triple-A for the organization, which sidelined him for the remainder of that season and contributed to a broader decline in performance and opportunities. These setbacks, combined with inconsistent results in the majors and minors, ultimately limited his prospects as he entered his mid-30s. Over his career from 2006 to 2010 with the , Boston Red Sox, and , Bonser compiled a 19-25 win-loss record with a 5.18 and 334 strikeouts in 111 games (60 starts). Following his retirement, Bonser completed a month-long training course to prepare for a new career path outside of .

Personal life and legacy

Personal background and nickname

Boof Bonser legally changed his first name to Boof in late 2001, shortly after being drafted into , to reflect the childhood he had used for years. The "Boof" originated from his mother, , who began calling him that as a baby for reasons she described as simply affectionate without deeper explanation. Public information on Bonser's family life remains limited; he was married to Jessica A. Bonser, with whom he resided in , though the couple filed for divorce in 2022. He has two daughters and, as of 2020, was involved in coaching his daughter's team. He continues to live in following his retirement from .

Post-retirement career and honors

After retiring from in 2015 following the 2014 season, Bonser transitioned to a in the defense industry, completing a month-long training program before joining in as a , where he contributes to building for the U.S. military. In a 2020 interview, he expressed contentment with this role, noting his appreciation for the stability it provides and the opportunity to be more involved in his family's life. By 2022, Bonser reported ongoing satisfaction with the work, estimating he had contributed to his sixth or seventh submarine project. In recognition of his minor league achievements, Bonser was inducted into the Hall of Fame on May 14, 2016, honoring his standout performance with the team in 2001, where he was named Pitcher of the Year in the . Bonser has maintained a cult hero status among fans, celebrated for his memorable 2006 debut season and quirky nickname, as highlighted in a 2020 MLB.com feature that underscores his enduring popularity in Twins fandom despite his brief major league tenure.

References

  1. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bonsebo01.shtml
  2. https://www.mlb.com/player/boof-bonser-425818
  3. https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1661751
  4. https://www.espn.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3934526
  5. https://www.milb.com/player/boof-bonser-425818
  6. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bonser001joh
  7. https://www.tbnweekly.com/sports/article_00eee1c6-2e0a-11ed-9c3a-0bd4e3a49d5a.html
  8. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2000/08/13/life-in-the-very-slow-lane/
  9. https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/11393-boof-bonser/
  10. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=bonsebo01
  11. https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/stats/t-rw14128/y-2005
  12. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL200605210.shtml
  13. https://www.espn.com/mlb/playbyplay/_/gameId/260521108
  14. https://www.mlb.com/news/boof-bonser-is-a-twins-cult-hero
  15. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Boof_Bonser
  16. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/boof-bonser-425818
  17. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/07/as-sign-boof-bonser.html
  18. https://twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/minnesota-twins/one-of-the-greatest-trades-in-twins-history-r8683/
  19. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/giants-sign-boof-bonser.html
  20. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/05/boof-bonser-retires.html
  21. https://www.twinkietown.com/2015/5/4/8545803/catching-up-with-ex-twin-boof-bonser
  22. https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/boof-bonser-scheduled-for-tommy-john-surgery
  23. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/sports/baseball/27boof.html
  24. https://trellis.law/case/9011/kno-fa22-5110683-s/bonser-jessica-a-v-bonser-boof
  25. https://www.fastpeoplesearch.com/boof-bonser_id_G8340910897009559214
  26. https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-177303546
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.