Bob Boone, the durable catcher who anchored the California Angels through their most sustained success of the 1980s, has died at 78.

The news was confirmed Tuesday by his son Bret Boone. No cause of death was announced. Boone spent seven seasons in Anaheim (1982-88), a stretch that defined both his later career and a high-water mark for the franchise.

The Angels acquired the former Phillies World Series champion after the 1981 season. What followed was a model of consistency behind the plate.

Boone became the club’s all-time leader in games caught with 962, won four Gold Gloves (1982, 1986-88)—still the most by any Angels catcher—and was named an All-Star in 1983. Local writers twice voted him the team’s MVP, in 1983 and 1988.

His presence helped the Angels claim AL West titles in 1982 and 1986.

In those postseason runs he hit .368 across 12 ALCS games, the highest career postseason batting average in franchise history among players with at least 25 at-bats.

On September 30, 1984, he was behind the plate for Mike Witt’s perfect game against the Texas Rangers.

Manager Gene Mauch once called Boone “a freak” after the catcher led the American League by starting 147 games at age 37 in 1985—the fourth of five straight seasons in which he was an iron man behind the plate.

“I’ve never known anyone so mentally tough and impervious to pain,” Mauch said.

The Angels issued a statement Tuesday praising the same qualities: “Our franchise leader in games caught, Boone’s leadership, exceptional defense and knowledge of the game made him an invaluable presence behind the plate and helped the Angels win two division titles.

“During his seven years with the Club, Boone would earn four Gold Glove Awards, the most by a catcher in Angels history. His impact on our pitchers and the example he set for his teammates are lasting parts of his legacy with our franchise.”

Boone’s career numbers—2,225 games caught, third all-time, seven Gold Gloves, four All-Star selections—place him among the elite defensive catchers of his era.

Yet for Angels fans of the 1980s, he was simply the steady, uncomplaining presence who made the pitching staff better and kept the club in contention year after year.

He is survived by his wife, Sue, and sons Aaron (manager of the Yankees), Bret, and Matthew.

The Angels extended condolences to the entire Boone family, noting that Bob sat in the middle of baseball’s most accomplished three-generation lineage.