Auerbach’s passing stirs memories and emotions
FSN pays tribute to Auerbach protege Heinsohn
If athletics had a Mount Rushmore and each sport could choose an image to represent itself in sculpture, pro basketball’s image would be that of Arnold “Red” Auerbach.
The patriarch, potentate and president of the Boston Celtics passed away on Saturday at the age of 89. He leaves behind an unprecedented legacy of accomplishments, but beyond the records and titles, the great moments and shrewd moves that brought the likes of Bill Russell and Larry Bird to Boston, Auerbach leaves a legion of admirers.
Media Blitz contacted several media luminaries and asked them to share their insights on Red Auerbach. Their words show that this mythical master was more so a memorable man. Conventional wisdom says that the color most associated with the Boston Celtics is green. In truth, that color is Red. It was always Red.
“When I was a kid, I saw Red in the concourse of the Garden and even though I was scared to death walked up to him and he signed my program.
“My proudest moment as a very small part of the Celtic Family came during the playoffs in the 1979-80 season when I was PA announcer at the Garden. There was a lose ball that the Celtics had knocked away and the ball went out of bounds. The 24-second clock was reset, but I pushed the red button, blew the horn and called the ref over to the table.
“I suggested that nobody controlled the ball before it went out on the other end of the floor and that a 24-second violation had occurred. After much discussion the call was made and the Celtics got the ball. After the game, I saw Red coming and I thought sure he was going to either yell at me or fire me.
“Instead, he said, “Good job kid. I knew we had you around here for something.” It was the greatest compliment I could have received from the greatest Celtic ever.”
- Steve Holman, Sportscaster, Atlanta Hawks Radio Network, 22 years
“I never got tired of listening to his stories. He was light years ahead of us all, whether it was coaching a team, making a deal or being a friend.”
- Frank Shorr, former Sports producer, WHDH-TV, Assistant Professor, Founder and Director, The Sports Institute at Boston University
“The first thing Dick (Stockton) and I talked about (Sunday) morning was Red. He always called Dick “Richard” and Bob Cousy always called Red “Arnold.”
“Auerbach was the gift of a lifetime. When Dick and I got married, no one cared that Dick Stockton and Lesley Visser were having a wonderful night at the Ritz Carlton. They only cared that Red Auerbach and Bill Russell had come to the wedding.
“Red knew everything, from the history of sports to the best place to have a Chinese meal. And he always had room at the end of his bench for someone that he loved. Red and Will McDonough are having a drink with Ted Williams right now.”
- Lesley Visser, CBS Sports, 2006 Pro Football Hall of Fame Honoree
“A statue in downtown Boston, school track meets funded by his foundation and the memory of him holding any number of audiences, from school kids to business leaders, spellbound. I remember working as an office kid at the Globe in the 1960s. Will McDonough would often would come back from a midday workout playing handball with Red.
“If they went two or three days without exchanging at least a phone call, it was unusual. I always thought Red was a terrific motivator and coach who created this tremendous public image, then was able to evolve his personae to keep it filled after he retired, another significant achievement.”
- Bill Griffith, Former Boston Globe media columnist, writer and editor
“Red Auerbach was a man who could turn every head in the room just by his presence. I had the privilege of speaking with Red many times over the years and always seemed to learn something new during each conversation.
“His accomplishments are extraordinary and I don’t know if we’ll ever see another one like him. For me, there will be three lasting images: the banners, the cigars, and the statue at Faneuil Hall.
- Mike Ratte, Sports director and primary sports anchor, CW56 Boston
“I always loved the smell of cigar smoke because it reminded me of my dad, and there were a lot of things about Red that reminded me of my dad. Today (Sunday) is the first day in the history of the NBA that Red Auerbach has not been affiliated with the league. Think about that one.”
- Dan Shaughnessy, Columnist, Boston Globe, Author of “Seeing Red: The Red Auerbach Story”
“My first night on the air at WMUR-TV in Manchester was the day of the Celtics’ last championship in June of 1986. I figured they would win 2 or 3 more titles with the Big Three but sadly that never happened. I never really covered a practice until
I came to WLVI in 1991.
“I’ll never forget the first time at Hellenic College, bright eyed and green, I was in awe of the likes of Bird, McHale and the Chief until, of course, Red walked in. Pads, pens and mics all flocked over to the coach.
“I could tell I was listening to someone very special. His voice just demanded respect as the entire media corps clung to each and every word. I don’t remember what I asked that first day, but I do remember he called me “kid.” We were all kids to Red, like a timeless Grandpa that just happened to be one the greatest basketball coaches ever.”
- Frank Mallicoat, Lead news anchor, CW56 Boston
“We won’t see Red’s kind again. He is perhaps the greatest coach, GM and president in sports history. He gave the NBA its first African-American player and first African-American starting five, and he hired Bill Russell as the first African-American head coach in major sports.
“He was the master of the fastbreak and instituted the concept of the sixth man. Red did not have five or six assistants. He took teams all over the world to promote the NBA and is one of the icons of American sports. He also did color commentary in the early 1970s when the Celtics were on channel 56. Tom Heinsohn did play-by-play.”
- Ted Sarandis, Sportscaster, Boston College ISP Sports Radio Network
“Coach was a boss, mentor and second father to me. I will miss his guidance, discipline insight and wisdom. He brought basketball to Boston, spreading the word across New England and speaking to civic groups.
“He never had an ego. He listened to his staff and wanted the information. What Coach’s Celtics accomplished will never be duplicated and there will never be another Red. We have several tributes planned for Opening Night on Wednesday and we are looking at having the team wear commemorative patches this season.”
- Jeff Twiss, Vice President of Media Services, Boston Celtics, started as an intern with the team in 1976
Media Blitz will publish more thoughts on Red Auerbach from those who knew him and chronicled his career this week.
Tommy’s times
On November 7 at 7:30pm, FSN will air “Tommy: Forever Green,” a tribute to Tommy Heinsohn’s 50 years with the Celtics. Heinsohn is beginning his 26th year as a Celtics color analyst alongside Mike Gorman, the longest-running announcing team in sports.
“Forever Green” includes highlights and insights from Heinsohn’s history as a Celtics’ player, coach and broadcaster. The program takes on even more meaning with the passing of Red Auerbach.
“Who’s the one constant since 1956,” asks Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan in the program. “Along with Red, it is Tommy Heinsohn.”
The show, narrated by Danny Ainge, features photos and clips of Heinsohn’s high school and college hoops days highlighted by his 1954 NIT title with Holy Cross.
We learn that Heinsohn was Rookie of the Year and an All-Star while leading the Celtics to their first NBA title in 1957. “Tommy played with a scowl on his face,” says Gorman.
“He advocates stepping on peoples’ chests and running over people. Red Auerbach taught the Celtics how to win, but Tommy showed the Celtics how to win.”
Heinsohn is honored with comments from former players Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, Sam Jones, K.C. Jones, Hot Rod Hundley, Earl Lloyd, Jo Jo White, Satch Sanders and more.
The program also delves into Heinsohn’s underrated coaching career as a latter day Auerbach, including five straight trips to the Conference Finals, two NBA titles (1974 and 1976) and a .620 winning percentage, good for ninth all-time. Moreover, the program shows Heinsohn as a painter and all around man.
“Basketball to me was important,” says Heinsohn. “But it wasn’t everything.” Adds Russell, “(Tommy is) one of the most sensitive guys that I’ve ever met, but he plays with the gruffness of a dock worker.”
“Forever Green” depicts Heinsohn as Auerbach’s whipping boy and trusted confidant, a continued advocate of up tempo basketball, and one of the most charismatic and flamboyant coaches and broadcasters in NBA history. Says Doc Rivers, “He is the spirit of the Celtics.”
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