Steve Grogan

We honor Steve Grogan as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month. The former Patriots quarterback left it all on the field during his 16 year career. Grogan was playing the “Patriots Way” before Bill Belichick introduced it in 2000.  He led by example and his teammates were always behind him.

Steve Grogan was drafted by Patriots coach Chuck Fairbanks in the fifth round of the 1975 draft out of Kansas State. He was one of the school’s all time passing and total offense leaders. Grogan not only beat you with his arm but he was exceptionally quick for a man standing at 6’4”.

The Patriots already had their franchise quarterback in place when he was drafted. Former Heisman Trophy winner, Jim Plunkett had been the Patriots starter for his first four years in the league. However, Coach Fairbanks was not afraid to make a move if a player was under-performing.  It didn’t matter who he was.

Midway through the 1975 season, Grogan was given the reigns of the Patriots offense.  He started the last seven games with only one victory to his credit. As a rookie, Grogan posted respectable numbers with 1976 yards with 11 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

He also added 110 yards on the ground with three rushing scores.

This would just be a sneak preview for things to come from the lanky quarterback out of K-State.

The 1976 season would prove to be one of the franchise’s finest. Grogan led the Patriots to a team best 11-3 record. His passing numbers were not eye popping by any means, but he did just enough to give his team a chance to win every week. Grogan posted 1903 yards passing with 18 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions.  However, he did much of his damage on the ground rushing for 397 yards and 12 rushing scores (still an NFL record).

In 1978, Grogan was part of a lethal rushing attack that amassed an astounding 3, 156 yards which is still the most rushing yards by a team in league history. The elusive signal caller contributed 539 yards to the lethal running game. This success on the ground helped lead the Patriots to their first home playoff game which they lost 31-14 to Houston.

Steve Grogan closed the decade with his best passing season. He threw for over 3200 yards and 28 touchdowns. He was becoming a multi threat with his precision passing and his ability to tuck away the ball and run.

In the 80’s Grogan suffered countless injuries and was benched in favor of the young Tony Eason who was supposed to be the team’s next franchise quarterback.

Eason struggled out of the gate during the 1985 season and head coach Raymond Berry turned to his 10 year veteran to spark the floundering team. Grogan did not disappoint. He let the Patriots to six straight wins before breaking his leg during the week #11 match-up versus the NY Jets.

The team finished at 11-5 and became the first team to win three playoff road games to reach Super Bowl XX. However, the magic ran out for New England when they were pasted by the Chicago Bears 46-10. Grogan relieved Eason in the second quarter and finished the game with 177 yards and threw for team’s only score.

Quarterbacks came and went but Grogan remained with Patriots. He was the team’s passing leader in the ’87 and ’89 seasons before hanging up his cleats after the 1990 season.

Grogan also left his mark on New England Patriots history. He is the team’s all time passing leader with 26,886 yards and 182 touchdowns.

Steve Grogan also boasts the best passing game in franchise history with a 227.8 QB rating against the NY Jets in 1979. He had 13 completions for 315 yards and five scores.

Grogan also shows up in the Patriots media guide as a dynamic rusher as well. He posted 2164 yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground in his career and his 12 rushing scores in 1976 is still a NFL record.

During his 16 years as a New England Patriot, he was the model of consistency and true determination. He battled injuries and his share of young guns, but more often than not, Grogan was standing behind center.

Steve Grogan is member of the New England Patriots Hall Of Fame.

Vintage Athlete of the Month: Bill Russell

We honor Bill Russell as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month. In the dictionary next to the definition of champion, there should be a picture of Bill Russell.

Before he even entered the NBA, Russell experienced his share of collegiate basketball glory while playing for San Francisco State.  Russell was the defensive core of a team that won 55 games in a row.

Russell was a shot blocking machine during his college career. After batting away 13 shots against the NCAA basketball powerhouse UCLA, legendary coach John Wooden said of Russell, “He is the greatest defensive man I’ve ever seen.”

And defense does indeed win championships in basketball, as SF State won back to back NCAA titles in 1955 and 1956.

Due to his stellar collegiate career, Bill Russell was an easy choice for captain of the US Olympic Men’s Basketball team in 1956. His winning ways continued on the world’s biggest stage. The United States squad would go on to defeat the USSR, 89-55 to capture the gold medal.

Before the age of 22, Bill Russell experienced championship glory three times.

And he was far from done.

The 6’9” center was a top prospect in the 1956 draft. The only question was which NBA franchise would choose this natural born winner.

Bill Russell is synonymous with champion.

Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach had Russell on his wish list. However, Boston was a winning NBA franchise and was picking at the wrong end of the draft to acquire a top talent such as Russell.

Red Auerbach never believed in the word, “never”.

Rochester passed on Russell with the first pick due to his $25,000 signing bonus and their need for a shooting guard. The defensive star from SF State fell right into the laps of the St. Louis Hawks with the number two pick overall.

Boston had St. Louis native son, Ed Macauley on their roster and the Hawks wanted the six time All-Star. Macauley had a sick son in Missouri so the trade would be perfect for both sides. Auberach would get a defensive stopper in Russell and the Hawks would get the gifted veteran in Macauley.

After the Celtics threw in prospect Cliff Hagan, the trade was complete. Bill Russell was now a Boston Celtic.

Red got his man.

Little did he know it would be one of the important and perhaps most lop sided trades in NBA history.

After his successful Olympic run, Russell was ready to embark on his NBA career. Joining his teammates during the 1956-57 campaign, his first game was against the team that drafted him, the St. Louis Hawks. Russell shut down Hawks star, Bob Pettit and the “Hey, Bill” defense was born.

Anytime one his teammates needed defensive help, they would shout, “Hey, Bill.” Russell would respond to the request and cover his opponent with his defensive blanket. This tactic proved very successful and helped the formerly offensively minded Celtics become a defensive team.

They finished with a 44-28 record and a berth in the post-season. After dispatching the Syracuse Nationals in three straight games, the Celtics reached their first NBA Finals in team history.

Russell would yet again face Bob Pettit and the St. Louis Hawks, but this time it was for the championship. The series would go seven games and game seven would go to double overtime.

The Celtics survived a Pettit last second shot attempt to win their first NBA title with a hard fought grinding win, 125-123.

After a disappointing loss to the Hawks the following season in the Finals, a now healthy Russell was ready to make his return during the ’58-’59 campaign. He averaged 16.7 points and 23 rebounds per game (blocks were not an official stat as of yet).

The Celtics would win their first championship against the then Minneapolis Lakers for the franchise’s second title in three years.

Wilt Chamberlain became Russell’s biggest rival during the ’59-’60 season. It was a battle of the league’s best offensive player versus the best defensive player. Some called it the “Big Collision”.

“The Battle of the Titans” would meet again in the NBA playoffs. Chamberlain had an offensive explosion, but Boston outlasted the Philadelphia 76ers in six games. The Celtics would meet the Hawks yet again for the championship prevailing in seven games.

Russell was dominate on the boards with 40 rebounds in Game Two (a NBA record) and 32 rebounds in the decisive Game Seven. He came to play when it mattered most.

The Celtics were now a bona fide dynasty with three titles in four years. However, no one could have fathomed what Russell and his teammates would accomplish.

As Russell went so did the Celtics, he would improve every year and the team would do the same in the standings.

Boston would defeat the relocated Los Angeles Lakers in the ’61, ’62, ’63, ’65, ’66 Finals. They also would beat the SF Warriors led by Wilt Chamberlain in ’64. It was no surprise that Russell was dominant during this championship span. He won the league’s MVP in ’61, ’62, ’63, and ’65.

Russell long time mentor and later long time friend, Red Auerbach retired prior to the ’66-’67.  The search was now on for his successor. His replacement would always be in his championship shadow.

Well that’s of course unless you hire a nine time NBA champion center. Bill Russell became the first African American head coach in league history. He told the press regarding his hiring, “”I wasn’t offered the job because I am a Negro, and I was offered it because Red figured I could do it.”

The Celtics championship streak ended that year at eight straight. Wilt Chamberlain and the Sixers were too much for Boston as they won the playoff series four games to one.

Bill Russell experienced his first real loss of his career (he was injured in the ’58 Finals) in 1967. While in the starting lineup, he had won 11 championships on the amateur and professional levels.

Russell went out like all winners do, on top.

He would win two championships versus the Lakers and his last could have been his sweetest.

After six tough and exhausting games, Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke lit a fire under the Celtics by adding “proceedings of Lakers victory ceremony” on the Game Seven leaflets.  Russell used this as a sign of disrespect and motivation for his team.

It worked.

Boston would defeat Los Angeles yet again for their 11th NBA Championship.

Russell’s departure after the ’68-’69 season was quite controversial. He didn’t attend the teams’ championship rally and said he owed the public nothing. He abruptly retired and cut all ties with the franchise. Red Auerbach was quite shocked about the developments.

Time heals all wounds as the Celtics retired Russell’s number in 1972.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.

Russell is considered one of the best players of his generation and the history of basketball.

He helped to revolutionize defensive play in the NBA and his five league MVP’s justifying his true impact on the game.

He even ran out of fingers and thumbs for his mind boggling 11 championship rings.

Russell was also the foundation of one of most successful dynasties in the history of sport.

And is synonymous with the word, champion.

Both Bill Russell drawings done by Neal Portnoy. They are available at www.idrawpeople.com.

Carlton Fisk

We honor Carlton Fisk as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month. The story of Carlton Fisk is of the local boy done good. Born in Vermont in 1947 and growing up in Charlestown, New Hampshire, he was a New Englander to the core. He played baseball for Charlestown High School and collegiately for the University of New Hampshire.

Fisk was chosen by the Boston Red Sox with the fourth overall pick in the 1967 draft.  He made his big league debut in 1969 appearing in just two games. Carlton Fisk wouldn’t play in the friendly confines of Fenway Park again until 1971. He appeared in just 14 games with the parent club that year.

The ’72 season is when “Pudge” Fisk made his splash in the big leagues. He was had a stellar campaign offensively and behind the plate for Boston. Fisk batted .293 with 22 homers, 61 RBI’s, and nine triples. His nine triples were good for tops in the American League along with Oakland’s Joe Rudi. Fisk is the last catcher to lead this statistical category.

Carlton Fisk not only made an impact with the lumber but with the leather as well. Fisk captured the AL Gold Glove for catcher. His year was capped off by winning the AL Rookie of the Year unanimously in 1972. He is the last player to achieve such a feat.

Fisk also finished fourth in AL MVP balloting in that magical season. This was just the beginning of great things for the New England’s favorite son.

In the ’73 season, he built on his offensive season by clubbing 26 homers and knocking in 71 runs. However the following season, was not kind to Carlton Fisk.

He only played 52 games after suffering a devastating knee injury due to a home plate collision. Fisk lost 177 games due to injury. He made his return to the lineup mid way through the 1975 campaign.

Fisk made an admirable comeback by hitting .331 with 10 homers and 52 RBI’s in 79 games. But Fisk would become a Boston folk hero in the 1975 World Series.

It was Game Six against the Cincinnati Reds and the Sox were down in the series three games to two.  Boston rallied in the eighth inning to tie it up at six. The game would go into extra frames.

In the bottom of the 12^th inning, Fisk hit a towering shot off the Reds’ Pat Darcy. The ball looked like it was going to go foul over the left field wall. However, Fisk seemed to wave the ball back fair to win the Game Six for the hometown team, 7-6.

The image of “Pudge” jumping and skipping down the first baseline is legendary.

Carlton Fisk had a very productive career in Boston from 1972-1980. He was one of the top catchers in the American League year after year. He averaged 20 round trippers and 70 RBI’s.

His best season in a Red Sox uniform was in 1977. In 152 games, “Pudge” batted .315 with 26 home runs and 102 RBI. Fisk was yet again a top 10 vote getter in the AL MVP race.

Sadly, he didn’t finish his career as the Boston Red Sox backstop. After a run in with the Boston Red Sox front office especially Haywood Sullivan, Fisk became a free agent in 1981. Legend has it that Sullivan sent a new contract to Fisk, one day after agreement expired.

Fisk changed his Sox from red to white by signing with Chicago in 1981 for $3.5 million. New England’s favorite son traded in his #27 for #72 in the Windy City.

He would play for the Chicago White Sox from 1981 to 1993. Boston would never have a catcher close in caliber and as productive as Fisk over that period of time.

Carlton ““Pudge”” Fisk would play 24 seasons (13 with Chicago and 11 with Boston) in the major leagues. Fisk batted .269 over his career with 376 home runs and 1330 RBI.

He was elected to the MLB Hall of Fame in 2000 and was inducted as a member of the Red Sox. His #27 was retired by Boston in 2000 and his #72 was retired by the Chicago White Sox in 1997. Fisk is only one of three players in major league history to have his number retired by two different teams.

Stay Fair

And deservedly so.

The Carlton Fisk portrait is by Neal Portnoy and can be ordered at www.idrawpeople.com.

Reggie Lewis

We honor Reggie Lewis as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month. He was a budding star for the Boston Celtics from 1987-1993. He died tragically during the summer of ‘93 at the age of 27. The cause of death was cardiac arrest.

This would be Boston’s second tragedy over a 7 year span. Lenny Bias, the college superstar from Maryland, died from a drug overdose before he ever played one game in Celtics Green. Coincidentally, both players hailed from the same state.

Reggie Lewis was a high school star with the 50-0 Dunbar High School team. He then left his home state of Maryland to attend Northeastern University in Boston.  He played for the Huskies from 1983-1987 while averaging 22.2 points per game during his collegiate career. He was also team captain and graduated as the school’s all-time leading scorer. Fittingly on January 21, 1989, Lewis had his #35 retired never to be worn again by another Northeastern Husky.

Like Bias, Lewis was chosen by the Celtics in the first round, 22^nd overall.

Lewis was perceived as the local boy done well even though he was not born in Massachusetts.

He arrived on a team that still had superstars like Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parrish. Lewis was a sponge at the beginning of his career trying to learn as much as he could from these Celtics greats. He would be the heir apparent.

In his second year, Lewis excelled. He missed just one game in his sophomore campaign and averaged 18.5 points per game. With Larry Bird injured, he was there to pick up the offensive slack.

Lewis consistently improved every season. He was chosen as an NBA All Star during the ’91-’92 season. He averaged 20.8 points per game over the course of the season.  Lewis elevated his play even higher during the playoffs averaging 28 points in 10 games.

After his breakout season and the retirement of Larry Bird, Reggie Lewis was bestowed the captaincy of the Boston Celtics. An honor held by Boston greats such as Bird, Cousy, Russell, Havlicek, and Cowens.

Lewis did the Captain’s C proud. During the ’92-’93 season, Lewis just missed two games and averaged 20.8 points for a second consecutive season. He helped lead Boston back to the playoffs with a 48-34 record.

However, Lewis and the Celtics playoff run were cut short. In the first game versus Charlotte, Reggie collapsed to the parquet floor. This proved to be his last game.

Boston lost the first round series three games to one.

Lewis made a comeback with his team regardless of his heart ailments. However, he was unable to dodge his health issues for long. On July 23, 1993 at the Celtics Brandeis practice facility, Reggie Lewis suffered cardiac arrest and passed away.

Reggie Lewis was honored for his life as an athlete and a man by the Celtics and Northeastern University, his alma mater. The Celtics raised his #35 to rafters amongst the other great captains and players of the team. Northeastern University named their Track & Athletics Center in his honor.

Reggie Lewis, a player and man, that left life and basketball much too soon.

Dwight "Dewey" Evans

We honor Dwight Evans as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month. With the opening of the baseball season around the corner, the choice of “Dewey” Evans is fitting. He was a player who gave his all, all the time to the Boston Red Sox where he played from 1972 to 1990. He is one of the best players not in the Baseball Hall Of Fame.

Dwight Michael Evans made an immediate impact in his professional baseball career by winning the International League’s MVP in 1972. With AAA Louisville, Evans had 17 hrs, 95 RBI and hit .300.

Dewey was called up to the tail end of the ’72 season. On September 16^th, he pinch ran and was 0-1 at the plate. He played 18 games and decent numbers during his call up. In 57 plate appearances, Evans had 1 hr, 6 RBI and batted .263.

Dwight Evans called right field in Fenway Park his home. He was a defensive standout and offensively could hold his own.

He would have his first taste of the post season in 1975.  Dewey batted well in the series with a .292 average, 1hr, and 7 RBI. However, it wasn’t Evan’s bat that made the highlight reel.

In Game 6 versus the Reds, Evans robbed Joe Morgan of a sure home run into the bullpen in right. He doubled off the runner and gave the Red Sox life. His superb defensive play gave catcher, Carlton Fisk the opportunity to hit his historic round tripper in the bottom of the 12^th inning.

Dewey was part of one of the best outfields in Red Sox history along with Jim Rice and Fred Lynn. His defensive play was his trademark; he had the hardware to prove it. He won eight gold gloves in his tenure patrolling the grass near Pesky’s Pole.

It wasn’t until the 1980’s that Dwight Evans found his batting stroke. In the strike shortened season of 1981, Dewey hit .296 with 22 homers (tied for league lead) and 71 RBI. He also was an on base monster with OPS of .937 and adding 85 walks.

The 1980’s was the decade of Dwight Evans. Few may know that he had more home runs and extra base hits than any player in the American League in that span. He also was the only player to stroke at least 20 round trippers in every year of the 80’s.

Dewey is amongst the Red Sox greats for all time franchise numbers. Only Carl Yastrzemski (3308) has played more games for the Boston than right fielder, Dwight Evans (2505).

Evans would finish his career in Baltimore and would retire after the 1991 season. In his 20 years in the big leagues, Evans batted .272, with 385 home runs, 1384 RBI, 1470 runs, 2446 hits, 483 doubles, 73 triples, and 78 stolen bases in 2606 games.

Dwight “Dewey” Evans was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall Of Fame in 2000.

We honor Mike Eruzione as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month.   This February will mark the 30^th anniversary of the “Miracle On Ice” when the US hockey team stunned the powerful Soviets and went on to capture the gold.  Eruzione was team captain of that squad and scored “the goal heard around the world.”

Like US Olympic teammate, Jim Craig, Eruzione was also a Massachusetts native and played collegiate hockey at Boston University. Eruzione grew up in Winthrop, MA where he was captain of his high school hockey team. After graduation in 1972, he attended Berwick Academy for one year to polish his hockey skills before attending Boston University.

As a BU Terrier, Mike Eruzione averaged 20 goals (92 career goals) per season from 1973-1977. He was elected team captain as a senior. He is the schools fifth all time leading scorer with 208 points. He only trails John Cullen (241), David Sacco (216), Chris Drury (214) and teammate Rick Meagher (210). His defense was also recognized, as he was voted a four time outstanding defensive forward.

While attending Boston University, Eruzione also played hockey for his country in the 1975 and 1976 World Championships. After graduation, he joined the Toledo Goaldiggers of the International Hockey League. He led the team to a Turner Cup Championship in his first season and was named rookie of the year.

After his second year in Toledo, Eruzione was chosen for the US Olympic Men’s Hockey team.  At the age of 25, he was an elder statesman compared to many of the collegiate players who were still attending school. However, his age and experience helped mold him into a leader and later team captain of Team USA.

During the 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid, Mike Eruzione recorded 3 goals and 5 assists. No goal was bigger than the one he scored against the almighty Soviets.

The United States kept clawing back and tied up the game 3-3, on a Mark Johnson tally (second of the game).  With 10 minutes remaining, Eruzione scored on a play set up by Mark Pavelich and John Harrington. The image of Mike Eruzione high stepping in celebration then being engulfed by his teammates has been forever etched in American sports history.

It proved to be the game winner as the youthful, underdog Americans upset the battle tested Soviets to advance to the gold medal game. The US hockey team would beat Finland, after coming from behind yet again, 4-2 to complete the “Miracle On Ice.”

As team captain Mike Eruzione was on the podium to accept his gold medal, he waved over his whole team to join him. They played as team, won as team, and were going to be awarded their gold medals as a team. It was just another incredible moment that would bring tears to any American’s eyes.

This was not just a hockey tournament. It was a galvanizing moment in this country’s history.

And Mike Eruzione was the glue that kept it all together.

Jim Craig

We honor Jim Craig as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month, the backstop of the 1980 Gold Medal winning US Olympic Hockey team. This upcoming February will mark the 30^th anniversary of the “Miracle On Ice” when the US hockey team stunned the powerful Soviets and went on to capture the gold.

Massachusetts native, Jim Craig was an integral part of the impossible dream and Olympic victory in Lake Placid, New York. Craig played collegiate hockey at Boston University where he was an All-American goalie. In two seasons at BU, Craig posted a 29-4-2 record with a 3.65 GAA. He also helped the Terriers capture a NCAA championship in 1978.

After college, Jim Craig chose the US Olympic team over the NHL’s Atlanta Flames. His sick mother wanted him to play for his country and he kept that promise to her. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her illness and never got to see Jim play for the United States. Craig was playing with a heavy heart.

Craig’s play in the Winter games in Lake Placid was nothing short of phenomenal. He backstopped the overachieving US squad to a 6-0-1 record with a microscopic 2.14 GAA.

His defining moment was against the Soviet Union in the Olympic semi-finals. The Soviets embarrassed the US team a few weeks earlier, 10-3 in an exhibition game at Madison Square Garden. The U.S.S.R had the best ice hockey team on the planet.

But not on this night.

The Soviets dominated most of the game by outshooting the Americans 42-16. Craig pushed away 39 of those shots and gave his upstart teammates a chance to scratch away.

Scratch and claw they did on route to a one of the biggest upsets in sports history. The US Olympic team comprised of amateurs beat the seasoned professional Soviet squad, 4-3.

Sports Illustrated said of Team USA’s win over the Soviet Union;

“It may just be the single most indelible moment in all of U.S. sports history. One that sent an entire nation into frenzy.”

Craig and his teammates did not lose focus of the task at hand. They still had a matchup against the Fins for the Gold.  Jim Craig kept his stellar play and backstopped his team to a 4-2 victory. Against all odds, the US Men’s hockey team not only won the Gold medal, but inspired and help rally a deflated country.

After the Olympic Games, Jim Craig signed with the team that drafted him, the Atlanta Flames. He posted a win in his first NHL start. However, he would only play four games for the Flames before being traded to his hometown; Boston Bruins for two draft picks (one who became long time Flames and Red Wings goalie, Mike Vernon).

In Boston, Craig didn’t have much of an impact. He started just 23 games for the Bruins with 9-7-6 record

Jim Craig played for the Boston Bruins during the '80-'81 season.

before Rogie Vachon and Marco Baron took over the goalkeeping duties for good. Jim Craig was sent to the minors.

In 1982, Jim Craig would make a return to the US national team where he played 26 games.  He would impress his former Olympic teammate, Neal Broten who was playing for the Minnesota North Stars at the time. Broten pushed the front office and Craig was given a contract by Minnesota in 1983.

Due to injury, Craig would only play 3 games for the North Stars. Jim Craig would never play hockey again.

Jim Craig’s impact on US hockey is immeasurable. Since his retirement, Craig has been enshrined in the Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame, the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame, the United State Hockey Hall of Fame, and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.

Jim Craig still resides in his hometown of North Easton, Massachusetts. He works as a successful businessman and motivational speaker. He has helped inspire and instruct employees from over 300 corporations including Coca Cola, Bayer, Dunkin’ Donuts, Walt Disney, and John Hancock.

Raymond Bourque

We honor Raymond Bourque as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month, one the best defensemen in Boston Bruins and NHL History.

Following in the skates of Bruins legend Bobby Orr, Raymond Jean Bourque was a stellar blue liner with offensive instincts. He was the face of the Boston Bruins for 21 seasons before being traded to Colorado where he became a Stanley Cup champion. However, all Bruins fans knew from his rookie year in 1979 that he had the heart of a champion.

Raymond Bourque was drafted in the first round (eight overall) of the 1979 NHL draft. Boston acquired the draft pick in a trade with Los Angeles for goaltender Ron Grahame. Being born in Quebec and a fan of the Montreal Canadiens as youth, Bourque was now going to lace up his skates for their arch nemesis, the Boston Bruins.

Bourque made an instant impact in his rookie season. He scored in his first game as a Boston Bruin. He won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year and set the all time record for scoring by a first year defensemen with 65 points.

Bourque scored at least 55 points a season through 1985 with his best being 96 points in 1983-1984. The Bruins chose Bourque as a co-captain with teammate Rick Middleton in 1985. Upon Middleton’s retirement in 1988, Bourque became the sole captain of the club. His tenure as captain (1988-2000) with one club was a NHL record before being broken by Detroit’s, Steve Yzerman.

Bourque wore #7 since his rookie season of 1979. However, in a surprise move during a 1987 ceremony for Bruins great Phil Esposito, Bourque removed his number #7 jersey to showcase his new number, #77. Bourque made a very respectful and unselfish gesture for one of Boston’s great players. His new number, #77, would also become synonomous with hockey greatness.

In the 1980’s and 1990’s, Bourque was consistently one of best players in the NHL. He was selected to 17 All-Star games. The most memorable being the 1996 All Star game played on his home rink in Boston. Bourque broke a 4-4 tie at 19:22 of the third period to win the game for the Eastern Conference and capture the game’s MVP award.

Raymond Bourque was also recognized for his superb play as a NHL defenseman. He won the Norris Trophy five times which is the third most in league history. Only former Bruin, Bobby Orr and Doug Harvey have won the award more.

The Boston Bruins reached the 1988 and 1990 Stanley Cup Finals versus Edmonton, but fell short both times. Boston never got close again and Raymond Bourque’s dreams of being a Stanley Cup champion were fleeting.

Ray Bourque requested a trade to have an opportunity to win a championship before his career came to a close. In 2000, Bruins GM Harry Sinden granted Bourque his wish, and the long time captain of the Boston Bruins, was shipped to the Colorado Avalanche.

Colorado fell short in the 2000 playoffs, so Bourque decided to play one more season. He achieved his boyhood dream in 2001 when the Avalanche defeated New Jersey in seven games.  He finally was able to hoist the Stanley Cup and cap off his career as a champion. It took Bourque 1,826(regular season and playoffs) games to win his first and only championship, a NHL record.

Bourque hung up his skates for good following his championship season of 2001.

In his career, he scored 410 goals and recorded 1,169 assists for 1,579 points in 1,612 regular season games. In the playoffs, Bourque added 41 goals and 139 assists in 214 games.

Raymond Jean Bourque was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.

If you had a favorite athlete growing up that you would like to see featured as the Boston Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month, send me a nomination by e-mail.

Bob Cousy

In recognition of the start of the NBA season, we honor as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Week the first in a long line of superstars to play for the Boston Celtics.

Before there was Bill Russell and Larry Bird, the Boston Celtics were powered by a 6-foot-1 inch guard from Holy Cross. Bob Cousy was the on-the-court leader for the Celtics in the era during which they emerged as a basketball power.

After earning All-America honors for three straight seasons at Holy Cross, Cousy was originally drafted by the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, but refused to sign with the team. He eventually joined the Boston Celtics and, as they say, the rest is history.

Cousy led the NBA in assists eight straight years and also scored more than 20 points per game in four seasons during his career. Known for his creative passing, Cousy was dubbed the “Houdini of the Hardwood.”

Making an immediate impact as a rookie during the 1950-51 season, Cousy averaged 15.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists as the Celtics improved from 22 wins the year before to 39 during his rookie season.

It wasn’t long before Cousy was an All-Star regular and annually honored as a member of the All-NBA team.

The Celtics continued to improve, but it wasn’t until the addition in 1956 of Bill Russell, K.C. Jones and Tom Heinsohn that the Celtics finally became a championship team.

Cousy averaged 20.6 points and 7.5 assists during the 1956-57 season to earn MVP honors as the Celtics went 44-28 in the regular season. They claimed their first World Championship by defeating the St. Louis Harks in seven games.

It would be the first of six championship teams Cousy would play on during his career.

In his 13 seasons with the Celtics, Cousy was an All-Star each season and was a first team All-NBA pick ten times.

Cousy retired following the 1962-63 season with career averages of 18.4 points and 7.5 assists per game.

While serving as coach of the Cincinnati Royals, Cousy made a brief comeback at the age of 41 during the 1969-70 season.

Cousy was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971 and his number 14 hangs in the rafters at the Fleet Center. He was selected to the NBA’s all-time team for the 25th anniversary of the league, the 35th anniversary and the 50th anniversary. He is one of only four players to be selected to each of those teams.

If you had a favorite athlete growing up that you would like to see featured as the Boston Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Week, send me a nomination by e-mail.

Rico Petrocelli

With the baseball playoffs gearing up, we honor as our Boston Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Week a former Red Sox player who was on both the 1967 and 1975 World Series teams.

In 13 seasons with the Red Sox, Rico Petrocelli provided Boston with solid defense as well as regular offensive pop.

After a brief stint with the team in 1963, Petrocelli joined the Red Sox for good in 1965 and quickly established himself as a quality shortstop.

As a rookie, Petrocelli played in 103 games and hit .232with 13 home runs and 33 RBI. He made steady improvements and in 1967 earned his first All-Star trip and finished 17th in the MVP voting while hitting .259 with 17 home runs and 66 RBI.

As part of the “Impossible Dream” team of 1967, Petrocelli and the Red Sox held off the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins to win the American League Pennant by a single game and advance to the World Series for the first time since 1946.

In the World Series, Petrocelli blasted two home runs in game six to force a deciding contest, but the Red Sox ultimately lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 7-2 in the seventh game.

After previously not hitting more than 18 home runs in a season, Petrocelli emerged as one of the top sluggers in the game in 1969. He set an American League record for home runs by a shortstop as he blasted a career-high 40 homers while hitting .297 and driving home 97 runs. Petrocelli earned his second All-Star invitation and finished seventh in the MVP voting.

The following season, he set a new career-high with 103 RBI while hitting .261 with 29 home runs.

Boston acquired future Hall of Fame shortstop Luis Aparicio prior to the 1971 season and Petrocelli made a smooth transition to third base. He hit 28 home runs and drove in 89 runs in 1971.

His power production started to slip slightly in 1972 as he hit 15 home runs and drove in 75 runs. He was limited to only 100 games in 1973 as injuries started to hamper his performance.

The 1975 season was Petrocelli’s final as the regular third baseman for the Red Sox as he hit .239 with seven home runs and 59 RBI in 115 games.

However, he was still an important component of the Red Sox squad that won the American League East Division and then defeated the Oakland A’s to reach the World Series.

Playing in all seven games against the Cincinnati Reds, Petrocelli hit .308 and drove home four runs. Unfortunately, the Sox again fell short in seven games.

Petrocelli retired after playing in 85 games in 1976.

He finished his career with 210 home runs, 773 RBI and a .251 career batting average. He was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997.

After retiring, Petrocelli spent one year as a broadcaster for the Red Sox before becoming a coach. In 1992 he managed the Pawtucket Red Sox to the International League playoffs.

If you had a favorite athlete growing up that you would like to see featured as the Boston Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Week, send me a nomination by e-mail.