Johnny Most

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Most's defining moment arrived during Game 7 of the 1965 NBA Eastern Division Finals. As Hal Greer attempted an inbound pass in the final seconds, John Havlicek deflected it, securing possession for Boston. Most's immediate reaction—"Havlicek stole the ball!"—is now simply known by that phrase and dubbed "the most famous radio call in basketball history" by the NBA. Beyond this singular play, his style was defined by being an outspoken "homer." He rarely criticized the Celtics but freely taunted opponents, nicknaming Magic Johnson "Crybaby Johnson," Washington Bullets players Rick Mahorn and Jeff Ruland as "McFilthy" and "McNasty," and referring to Philadelphia 76ers stars Steve Mix, Bobby Jones, and Andrew Toney as "The Hatchet Brothers."

In Their Own Story

Most began his Celtics tenure in 1953 after working with Marty Glickman on New York Knicks games and calling Giants football. He described his Boston Garden perch as "high above courtside" and road game seats as "directly at courtside." His work extended beyond basketball; he hosted a Red Sox post-game show on WHDH-TV from 1958 until the station lost its license before the 1972 season, calling scores and pitching changes while sponsored by Wheaties and Blackstone cigars. In the early 1970s, he ran an evening sports talk show on WORL radio, though WBZ restricted his appearance to the first hour to avoid competing with their own broadcast. His career also included calling NASCAR races at Norwood Arena Speedway from 1963 to 1966 and greyhound racing in Plainfield, Connecticut, in the summer of 1978.

Reader's Guide

Fans can trace Most's career through his specific vocal tics and nicknames that defined the rivalry eras. He was particularly critical of the Detroit Pistons' physical play in the late 1980s, labeling Bill Laimbeer "Counterfeit Bill" and Isiah Thomas "Little Lord Fauntleroy." His health struggles were well-documented; a stroke in 1983 paralyzed his right hand, followed by triple-bypass surgery in 1989 and the amputation of both legs above the knee in January 1992 due to circulation issues. Despite smoking two packs a day even after it was banned inside Boston Garden, he continued broadcasting until October 10, 1990. On December 3, 1990, his silver-plated microphone was permanently installed at the arena. He died of a heart attack on January 3, 1993, in Hyannis, Massachusetts, and was posthumously awarded the Curt Gowdy Media Award by the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Did You Know?

• Most flew 28 combat missions as an aerial gunner on a B-24 Liberator with the 15th Air Force during World War II, earning seven medals.
• He nicknamed Magic Johnson "Crybaby Johnson" throughout the remainder of the 1980s after a specific challenge to a referee's call.
• Most was called "Counterfeit Bill" by Johnny Most when referring to Detroit Pistons player Bill Laimbeer due to his physical style of play.
• He hosted a Boston Red Sox post-game show on WHDH-TV from 1958 until the station lost its license just before the 1972 season.
• In 1965, Most served as a color commentator for one Boston Bruins game when Fred Cusick was sick.