The Mike Gorman Retirement Was a Mix of Sincerity, Sadness
Watch the Mike Gorman retirement curtain call during his final Boston Celtics TV broadcast and see if you don’t get a bit glasseyed like I did.
The Dorchester native has been handling play-by-play for Celtics games since 1981. That’s the year my 42-year-old brother Nate was born. He’s only ever known Gorman. If you’re reading this, you’ve likely only ever known Gorman as the TV voice of the Boston Celtics.
His 43-year run ended last night at TD Garden as the Celtics dispatched the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Thankfully, the game was a blowout. Which meant fans at the Garden and at home could savor Gorman’s sign off.
The Mike Gorman Retirement Moment Was as Sincere as You’d Expect
If you were expecting bombastic bloviation in that last goodbye, then you didn’t know Mike Gorman. Part of what made his run in the Celtics broadcast booth so successful was his sincerity. He was never afraid to let his Boston roots show. And he was always humble.
It didn’t hurt that he spent the bulk of his storied run paired up with the grand poobah of bombastic bloviation, Tommy Heinsohn (that’s a compliment, by the way). And Mike would be the first to tell you that working with Tommy allowed him to become the broadcaster he became.
The Mike Gorman Retirement Moment Was Authentic Because Mike is Authentic
As you probably noticed from the pic at the top of this piece, I had the pleasure of meeting Mike years ago at an event. My story isn’t a special one. I introduced myself, Mike smiled, shook my hand, and we talked about the Celtics and the blues for a few minutes.
And that’s the point. The Mike Gorman that you’d spend cold winter nights with in your living room, rooting for the Celtics? It’s the same Mike Gorman that would take the time to say hi to you on the street and take a genuine interest in you.
Sincere. Humble. Authentic. As-advertised. That’s Mike Gorman. I’ll miss him during Celtics games. But I’m grateful we had him as one of the city’s most beloved voices for as long we did. A Happy Mike Gorman retirement is my wish. And Banner 18 in his honor.
12 Inch Poll: The Boston Celtics as Marvel Characters
Jason Tatum - Vision
His talents have been otherworldly as of late.
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Jaylen Brown - Black Panther
CELTICS FOREVER!
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Marcus Smart - The Incredible Hulk
SMARF SMASH!
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Al Horford - Captain America
A fitting tribute to the stalwart veteran.
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Rob Williams - Thor
Given the dunks the Time Lord has been hammering home as of late, Thor is a much better nickname.
(Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
Derrick White - Iron Man
The versatile newcomer has been lighting it up since joining the C’s.
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Grant Williams - Spider-Man
Although he prefers to be called Batman in the DC Universe.
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Daniel Theis - Captain Marvel
Fans seem to enjoy having this familiar face back in green.
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Payton Pritchard - Quicksilver
The speedy youngster is Quicksilver indeed.
(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Aaron Nesmith - Drax
Big and strong, just like Drax the Destroyer.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Ime Udoka - Nick Fury
The leader.
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)