Nationals VP Bob Boone resigns amid front office shakeup over vaccine mandate

Washington Nationals vice president Bob Boone told the team he will resign from his post instead of following the team's COVID-19 vaccination mandate. The news was first reported on Wednesday by The Washington Post.

Boone's impending departure comes as multiple personnel are being let go due to the team's new policy, which requires all full-time, non-playing employees to be fully vaccinated. 

The Nationals informed staff of the new policy on Aug. 14, making them the first MLB team to require employees to be vaccinated (or have a medical exemption.) Unvaccinated employees are currently on unpaid leave and have until Sept. 15 to show proof of at least one first or have their contracts terminated.

According to The Athletic, eight scouts have been informed they will not have their contracts renewed for next season. Two of those departures are a direct result of the new mandate, the report said. 

Boone, 73, has served in multiple roles with the Nationals since joining the organization in 2005. He spent his playing career as a catcher for the Phillies, Angels and Royals before going on to manage both the Royals and the Reds.

His son, Yankees manager Aaron Boone, announced back in March he is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.