Boston Calling

Johnny Most can rest well knowing he has these guys to carry the torch.

For more than twenty years, the team of Tommy Heinsohn and Mike Gorman have headed up every Celtics game, and recently, with the addition of Donny Marshall at road games, created a tight-knit and well-rounded broadcast team. While it is clear Tommy is a homer, his colorful observations go hand in hand with Gorman’s professionalism, and Marshall brings to the table the abilities and ingenuity of a rising talent in the broadcasting community.

Heinsohn is an ex-Celtic player and coach. He is currently broadcasting alongside Gorman at all home games. As a player he won eight rings with the Celtics in nine years. He won his first in 1956, his rookie year, and 1959 through 1966 consecutively. During the '72-'73 season, he coached the C's to a 68-14 recorc, with a winning percentage of .829, the third highest ever. Heinsohn is also the only person to have been involved in some way with all 17 championships.

"I…Love…Tommy!” said Kyle McCarthy, of Reading. “The man is a legend in this town. With Gorman beside him making all the technical calls, it leaves plenty of room for Tommy to shine with not only his wit and humor, but also his incredible knowledge of the game of basketball,” he said.
Sadly, Heinsohn’s diminishing health allows him only to call home games, with Donny Marshall taking over on the road along side Mike Gorman. “The road games are always a good chance to see what Donny’s made of. I like him if nothing more than for the fact that he knows what he’s talking about, and has improved dramatically over the past few years,” said Will Marshall, a student at UML. “For his first couple of years, Gorman was always correcting him and pointing out mistakes he was making. You could tell he wished Tommy would come back,” he said with a laugh. “I really think he has improved, though, and I’ve come to enjoy him almost as much as The Big Two,” Marshall said.

“As funny as Tommy is, I have to give it up totally to Mike. His professionalism is uncanny; his play-by-play is poetry in motion. And when there is a buzzer-beater that needs proper recognition, who better than Gorman?” said Matt Spignese, also of Reading.

Mike Gorman has been calling Celtics games since the ‘80s, and since then won 5 Emmy Awards, as well as being inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.

The two coincide well with not only the fans but the team as well. Heinsohn is always imparting his knowledge of the game on younger players, keeping updates on them and tracking their progress. Gorman’s pre-game interviews with coach Doc Rivers are just a testimant to his deep involvement within the organization.

“I don’t really listen to the radio as much as I watch the games on TV. I mean, I don’t really listen to sports on the radio anyways, but when I catch the Celtcs game, it’s always pretty funny to listen to Cedric Maxwell. The man is a riot,” said Matt Kenny of Reading. “I never have any idea what that guys talking about, but I like him. Sean Grande is like Gorman, straight basketball. But Maxwell, he’s on a plain of his own. What the hell is ‘Quack quack quack all about? He’s great,” he said.

Considering the age and wisdome of Heinsohn and Gorman, time is becoming a factor. With their careers inevitably drawing to a close, the necessity for a similar, cohesive unit is imperative. Marshall already displays his ability to carry himself, and is only going to improve. For now, we can only enjoy the time we have left with, what can be considered the Big Two.