04/24/24
October 28, 2006
Arnold "Red" Auerbach Dead at 89.: Legendary Boston Celtics' Coach, General Manager, Chairman of the Board, President, and all-around architect of some of the best teams in NBA history passed away Saturday night of an apparent heart attack. Said author John Feinstein, "I never thought he'd die." The Celtics, who announced his passing, have also dedicated the upcoming season to Auerbach.
posted by The_Black_Hand to basketball at 09:24 PM - 13 comments
A true legend of the game, and one of my all-time favorite sports icons. Devastating. Just devastating. Although his input into day-to-day operations had waned significantly through recent years, he'll always be the genial face of the Celts for me and countless others. A sad day not just for Celtics fans, but basketball fans everywhere.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 09:30 PM on October 28, 2006
Truly saddening...may his spirit live forever!
posted by nflhou02 at 09:47 PM on October 28, 2006
Sad loss. Looking back over his career, it's amazing how long he was able to have an impact on the Celtics. He won eight straight titles as coach from 1959 to 1966. It's like having Vince Lombardi around another 35 years in the Packers management.
posted by rcade at 09:55 PM on October 28, 2006
One of the true greats who made the Celtics the greatest franchise in the NBA, he was a towering figure the likes of which we'll not see again.
posted by sickleguy at 10:39 PM on October 28, 2006
Well I can't speak for everyone here in Boston,But I'm sure all are saddened by the passing of Red. I just got the news tonight when I came home and clicked on SpoFi. A great loss to the Celtics organization, and to all Celtics fans here in Boston and across the NBA. My condolences to Reds family and all that were associated with him. . Red was the Boston Celtics. You would see him everywhere smoking his cigar. A terrible loss of the man that built ,or help build many great Celtics teams He will be missed by many, especially here in Boston.
posted by Ghastly1 at 12:41 AM on October 29, 2006
R.I.P.
posted by commander cody at 12:49 AM on October 29, 2006
red had his way of building great teams,he was a master of getting the most out his players.His way to sign a future star was to bring him to boston,take the person to chinatown for a good lunch, contract in pocket ,have the prospect sign the contract over a fortune cookie and tea,before the prospect ever knew what was happening. I hope they have some very good cigars for him upstairs.
posted by arturo at 09:39 AM on October 29, 2006
I'm the 'old' guy who watched (on TV) Boston win all those years ago. I still don't think another coach since then could even hold his cigar (this should bring some remarks)
posted by jim222 at 08:34 PM on October 29, 2006
A great coach, rest in peace Red!
posted by steelerchooks at 10:29 PM on October 29, 2006
As a long-time Laker fan, I use to loath not only Red Auerbach, but everything about the Boston Celtics, the players, the fans, the crappy old Boston Garden, the stupid parque floor, everything. I'll remember forever Red lighting his cigar at the Forum with all the balloons Jack Kent Cooke had tied up in the rafters, just waiting to be dropped when the Lakers finally beat the Celts. It didn't happen. I rejoiced when the Lakers finally won a title IN Boston Garden. As I've grown older, I miss the rivalry we used to have, the great players and coaches on both teams, I've learned to appreciate everything Red Auerbach meant to the game of basketball, and all the players who thrived under his leadership. None of his players showed up with bling hanging off their necks and none would have ever thought to go into the stands after a fan. They didn't commit crimes in the offseason. I realize it was a different time, but these players were taught character, by men like John Wooden and Red Auerbach. Learning of Red's passing has made me terribly sad, and I miss the 'golden age' of basketball that I grew up with. Rest in peace, Red, you were truly one of a kind.
posted by eccsport78 at 11:51 PM on October 29, 2006
He was the Best! A true Dynasty!
posted by yachts360 at 05:22 PM on October 31, 2006
Thankfully, Red didn't live long enough to read that.
posted by yerfatma at 05:33 PM on October 31, 2006
Goodbye, Red, your passing leaves a hole in this 55-year Celtics fan's heart.