You know him as the color man on Celtics television broadcasts. You know him as Fred Flintstone barking about referees. You know him as a booming, opinionated guy who loves the Celtics and has no use for the lugs running up and down the floor in visitors uniforms.
He is Tommy Heinsohn, Mr. Celtics, an institution on Causeway Street.
Comments
Love Tom!
That's a great article, Dan. In a charity auction, I won dinner with Tommy for my husband and my son. Tommy took them to Legal's in Chestnut Hill, and they had a fabulous time, talking not only about the old days but about how basketball is played today and why it is different from the Russell era.
Thank you Dan for that article. I still remember watching a home game on TV that he was coaching when the Celtics, down by 20 late in the third period, had a terrible call dropped on them. Heinson erupted and was given a T. The crowd went silent after that and you heard Heinson clearly say to his team on the floor "Screw 'em, let's win it anyway and shove it up their rears", referring, I'm sure, to the refs. The Celts mounted a furious comeback and won going away. It was like he had a light switch with the team.
Tommy Heisohn - keeper of the flame
I forgot to add: Thanks Dan for a positive article for a change.
Nice work, Dan. Tommy is a true Boston treasure.
Someday you should do a story on Tommy's days as a broadcaster on channel 56. Red was his color man for some of the games. It was hilarious.
Tommy used to shout "Too late" after key Celtic baskets. At first, everyone thought that the shot hadn't beat the 24 second clock. Tommy finally elaborated that Sam Jones used to say that to Wilt after he made a hoop over Wilt's outstretched hand.
Celtics - Tommy... Tommy - Celtics Simple as that!!
How do you write an article about Tommy and not mention the hook shot?
...or the low trajectory jumper?
Beautiful story. Thank you. Tommy is a Boston institution and a living legend.
My best memory of Heinsohn is working at Northeastern's Matthews Arena as an usher for a Red Auerbach charity game in the early 80's, maybe '83 or '84. All the old greats suited up and Red coached one squad, mecilessly abusing volunteer ref Mike Lynch of channel 5 all game. The opening tip went to Heinsohn who took maybe 3 dribbles, then proceeded to launch an absurd 40 foot hook shot. The crowd exploded as the ball touched nothing but the net. Awesome.
This one's a keeper, Dan. Thanks!
I remember Tommy came to our church for a "sports night" sometime in the early 70's. I was maybe 12. One of my team mates was an odd-looking kid and was chewing on a piece of paper table cloth. Tommy noticed him and started making fun of him in a hilarious way - had us all in stitches.