The call is more famous than the play itself. We all know the "Most" (Johnny) famous call in Boston sports history. Yet as fans, many do not know the opposing team, the score or even that Hondo's theft didn't win the game, but prevented the Sixers from winning it.
And of course this isn't the only call in Boston sports lore that has grown larger than the game itself.
Joe Castiglione's radio call of the final out that ended the Curse of the Bambino in 2004 will be forever linked with Fenway Fame. The sound bite is more famous than the video footage of the event itself.
“Swing and a ground ball, stabbed by Foulke. He has it. He under hands to first, and the Boston Red Sox are the world champions! For the first time in 86 years, the Red Sox have won baseball’s world championship! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?”
Then there are calls,which fall under the heading of memorable, yet infamous. Calls we'll always remember but not as much for capturing a moment as for their out and out lunacy.
The Bruins play by play man Jack Edwards made the following call during a recent game between the Bruins and Flyers. Not a great call per se but definitely an instant classic.
And of course, nearly any rant by Celtics announcer and resident homer Tommy Heinsohn, becomes memorable to Boston and national listeners alike.
With such writers as Bob Ryan, Nick Cafardo, Mike Reiss, Kevin Paul Dupont and Dan Shaunessey (not my favorite, but still a great writer), the Globe coverage is unparelleled. Now if they can't keep afloat in the wake of recent problems, the nod goes to the Herald.
The one-time Herald writer jumped to the Globe this past summer and may have single handedly decreased the Heralds readership. The squeaky voiced scribe no longer appears on WEEI due to conflicts with the Globe but was recently seen on Red Sox telecasts to fill in for Jerry Remy. Knowledge eminates from his very soul. Mazz alos appears on New England Sports Network (NESN). In addition, Mazz's book, "Dynasty, How the Red Sox Became a Baseball Powerhouse" is a must read for any Sox fan. His blog Reiss' Pieces is not only a clever name but the best and most informative sports blog I read. Outside of Michael Holly, writer and WEEI sports personality, Reiss knows more about the Patriots than Belichick himself. Best Celtics Beat Writer: Frank Dell'Appa In 1997, he was inducted in the Massachusetts Soccer Hall of Fame. He has covered five FIFA World Cup Finals and two Womens’ World Cup finals. He has been a member of the Boston Globe sports staff since 1989. Best Bruins Beat Writer: Fluto Shinzawa The BU grad is the Boston Bruins beat writer for the Boston Globe sports section. He also covers NASCAR for the paper. Prior to assuming the B's beat, Shinzawa was the lead college hockey writer for the publication. His Bruin's blog and his pre-game reports are second to none.
In recent times Ryan has become less basketball-oriented and more general sports-oriented. He has also written for the Basketball Times. Bob votes for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
He has won the following prestigious awards during his Hall of Fame career.
Best Patriots Beat Writer: Mike Reiss
Not to be confused with the writer of the Simpsons, Mike Reiss of the Globe might be the best beat writer for any team in any sport.
Though his Globe mug shot looks like is was stolen from the FBI's Most Wanted list, there is nothing criminal about Dell'Appa's coverage ofthe Celtics. Previous to this position, he was the beat writer for the New England Revolution and also reported on the U.S. National Team and international soccer.
Though I personally think there is something oddly humorous about a writer of Asian decent covering hockey and NASCAR there is none better.
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