Posted on 11/25/2023 7:24:14 PM PST by massmike
Lanny Lee Larson, better known by Tom Larson, whose sports broadcasting career spanned nearly four decades, died this week in Virginia, his family confirmed to the Boston Globe. Larson was 84.
Larson had previously been diagnosed with cancer.
The former longtime Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox television host famously vowed to forgo shaving his beard until the city's NHL franchise won the Stanley Cup. Larson made the leap to Boston in the late 60s after spending time in Illinois and Lansing, Michigan.
Larson's legendary career with the Bruins television crew started during the 1969-70 season. He hosted the pregame and postgame studio shows.
The Bruins had a pair of remarkable seasons in the early portion of Larson's stint, winning championships in 1970 and 1972, but it would take nearly four more decades for the franchise to bring home another championship.
Larson's pledge to not shave his beard ultimately lasted until well after his retirement — when the Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks to end the 39-year drought.
In the 1980s, Larson was the sports director WHDH radio. He later joined the New England Sports Network, popularly known as NESN, shortly after the regional sports network's inception.
Larson was a television host for the Red Sox during his time at NESN and was also a contributing writer.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I remember him from WSBK TV-38 in the ‘70s. I am a Kings fan, but the Bruins were the only good chance I had to see them play in Connecticut. Also, the Bruins were pretty good in those days and dominated the Adams Division. The Canadiens owned the Norris Division, and the Islanders ruled the Patrick Division. The best team in the Smythe Division had a 40% winning record in those days. A lot of good hockey, and Bostons announcing team was very good.
RIP Tom Larsen.
UHF channel 38, watched many a game on that station...grew up in South Eastern Mass...Tom was a staple item for the B’s.
Safe and effective
channel 38... damn it’s been a long time
i remember hearing my Dad downstairs listening to the game.
i’d also catch it on WBZ AM1030 (i was supposed to be asleep by then) and sometimes that would get into Larry Glick afterwards (similar to Art Bell and his stories)
From the 1980s, I hated the Bruins, since I was a Whalers fan, but the Bruins had great players and Larson was a good announcer.
Same here. Watched every game back then. Johnny Pierson, Fred Cusick an Tom Larsen. Still a huge Bruins fan.
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