A journeyman catcher, Roof was highly respected for his defensive abilities and handling of young pitchers, but was weak at the plate. His .302 mark for 63 games in 1975 was a full 67 points higher than his previous best. The bowlegged Kentuckian played a career-high 127 games for the 1966 A’s. Five Roof brothers played pro ball; brother Gene was an outfielder with the Cardinals and Expos for parts of 1981-83. Phil became a Mariner coach in 1983.
