Johnny Most

The raspy voice behind 'Havlicek stole the ball!'

John M. Most (June 15, 1923 – January 3, 1993) was an American sports announcer, known primarily as the raspy radio voice of the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1953 to 1990.

Quick Facts

Birth name: John M. Most
Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.S.
Born: 15 June 1923
Place of death: Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died: 3 January 1993
Occupation: Sports Announcer, radio personality

Lore & Background

Most's radio call during the final moments of Game 7 of the 1965 NBA Eastern Division Finals has been dubbed 'the most famous radio call in basketball history' by the NBA. The call is now simply known as 'Havlicek stole the ball!'

Reader's Guide

Most was hired in 1953 by Boston Celtics owner Walter Brown and coach Red Auerbach to replace Curt Gowdy as the team's radio play-by-play man. He was an outspoken 'homer' who rarely criticized the Celtics but criticized other teams' players and fans. He nicknamed Laker star Magic Johnson 'Crybaby Johnson', Washington Bullets players Rick Mahorn and Jeff Ruland as 'McFilthy' and 'McNasty', Philadelphia 76ers players Steve Mix, Bobby Jones and Andrew Toney as 'The Hatchet Brothers', and Detroit Pistons player Bill Laimbeer as 'Counterfeit Bill'.

Did You Know?

Most flew 28 combat missions as an aerial gunner on a B-24 Liberator in World War II, earning seven medals.
He was a prolific poet and wrote lines after visiting a graveyard of fallen comrades in Italy.
Most called races at Norwood Arena Speedway from 1963 to 1966.
He served as color commentator for one Boston Bruins game in 1965 when Fred Cusick was sick.