Celtics Lose Gravel-Voiced Johnny Most -- Broadcaster Dies Of Heart Attack

BOSTON - Johnny Most, the gravel-voiced broadcaster who transformed Boston Celtics games into battles between the forces of good and evil, died yesterday at 69.

Most suffered cardiac arrest, according to a spokesman at Cape Cod Hospital.

Most's health had been failing for some time. A year ago he had both legs amputated because of severe vascular disease. In 1989, he underwent triple bypass heart surgery.

Despite his deteriorating physical condition, Most continued to work. He had his own show on a Cape Cod radio station and still attended Celtics games. He would sit in a wheelchair at a baseline press table, a thin tube stretched from an oxygen bottle to his nose. After the game an attendant would wheel him to the Celtics' dressing room.

Generations of Celtics fans will remember Most, however, perched high above courtside at Boston Garden, where he described Boston's struggle against the rest of the basketball world. He started in 1953 and described almost every jump shot, layup and dunk for the next 36 years.

Most's most famous call occurred April 15, 1965, when John Havlicek stole Hal Greer's inbounds pass with seconds remaining and preserved a 110-109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in the seventh game of the Eastern Division finals.

"Havlicek stole the ball! . . . It's all over," Most screamed, his voice leaping at least an octave.

Those words became etched in Celtics lore, and served as staples for the hundreds of broadcasters who tried to imitate his unique gravel tones.

"This was not a basketball town. It was a hockey town. Johnny made people feel like they were part of the Celtics' family," said Boston telecaster Tom Heinsohn, former Celtics player and coach.

Most brought an intense passion to his job. As far as he was concerned, every Celtic was good and every opponent evil.

"He turned basketball into a morality play. He portrayed us in such a way as to make heroes of us all," said Heinsohn, who befriended Most when he joined the Celtics in 1956.

"I dare say, not many with pen or mouth portrayed it better than Johnny Most."

Said Celtic Kevin McHale: "Johnny probably exemplified the word loyal. The first time I heard him do a game, I couldn't believe an announcer could be so biased. Everybody now who's hiring an announcer wants them to be objective.

Most's career paralleled those of all the Celtics' greats.

He watched the Celtics hoist 16 NBA championship banners to the Boston Garden rafters.

The Celtics honored Most on Dec. 3, 1990. His microphone was retired, and a plaque commemorating the event and his career now hangs on the balcony facade, just below Most's favorite perch above courtside.