Johnny Most
This article possibly contains original research. (January 2015) |
Johnny Most | |
---|---|
Boston, Massachusetts , U.S. | |
Occupations |
|
John M. Most (June 15, 1923 – January 3, 1993) was an American sports announcer, known primarily as the raspy radio voice of the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association from 1953 to 1990.
Most's radio call during the final moments of Game 7 of the
Biography
Early life and career
Born to
In addition to his work with the Celtics, he served as host of a rudimentary
In the early 1970s, Most hosted an evening sports talk show on WORL radio which lasted from 5 to 7 PM. WBZ, owner of the Celtics' radio rights, allowed Most to appear only on the first hour of the program, which was broadcast live from a Boston nightspot, so as not to compete with WBZ's Calling All Sports broadcast.
World War II
As an aerial gunner on a
Shortly after VE Day, as his unit broke camp in central Italy, Johnny wandered up a nearby hillside to a graveyard filled with American flags, his final visit to fallen comrades before returning home to the Bronx. A prolific poet, he penned these lines:
I stood among the graves today and swept the scene with sight.
And the corps of men who lay beneath looked up to say good night.
The thunder still, the battle done, the fray has passed them by;
And as they rest forever more, they must be asking, 'Why?'
Commentating style
Most always referred to his perch or radio booth at the Boston Garden (the Celtics' arena) as "high above courtside" at the opening of his broadcasts, and to his usual perch near the scorer's table on most Celtics road games as "directly at courtside".
Unlike his long-time contemporary
Other work
From 1963 to 1966, Most was the track announcer at the
In 1965, Most served as a color commentator for one Boston Bruins game when play-by-play announcer Fred Cusick was sick and color commentator Bob Wilson filled in on play-by-play.[4]
In the summer of 1978, Most called races at Plainfield Greyhound Track in Plainfield, Connecticut.[4]
Retirement, death and honors
A heavy smoker for his entire adult life, Most was plagued with health problems beginning in 1983, when he suffered a stroke that left his right hand permanently paralyzed.[5] In 1989, he underwent triple-bypass surgery, and in January 1992 had to have both legs amputated above the knee due to circulation problems. In his later years he also suffered hearing problems and was often dependent on an oxygen mask to help him breathe. Most nonetheless kept up his two-pack-a-day cigarette habit, even after smoking was banned inside Boston Garden.[6]
On October 10, 1990, Most announced his retirement due to failing health. On December 3 of that year, Most was honored with permanent installation of his personal microphone at Boston Garden, silver-plated and encased in a Celtic-green frame and attached to the façade of the vantage point Most had always described as "high above courtside". On January 3, 1993, he died at 69 of a heart attack in Hyannis, Massachusetts in Cape Cod. He is buried in the Baker Street Jewish Cemeteries, West Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Shortly after his death, he was awarded the prestigious
References
- ^ "The 60 Greatest Playoff Moments: "Havlicek Stole the Ball!"". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
- ^ Johann Most Page, Bavarian-American anarchist; from the Daily Bleed's Anarchist Encyclopedia Archived 2011-10-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Los Angeles Times[dead link]
- ^ ISBN 9781582617404.
- ^ "A Raspy Voice, A Hacking Cough and 'Havlicek Stole the Ball!'". Sports Illustrated Vault | Si.com.
- ^ "Longtime Celtic Announcer Most Dies at 69". Los Angeles Times. 4 January 1993.