Synopsis
"High Above Courtside: The Lost Memoirs of Johnny Most," authored by Mike Carey, serves as an engaging autobiography of Johnny Most, the legendary radio voice of the Boston Celtics, chronicling his remarkable life and career while offering an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. The narrative begins with Most’s early years, painting a vivid picture of his childhood and youth in New York, where his passion for sports and storytelling first took root. It traces his journey through a diverse array of experiences, including his service as a tail gunner during World War II, which imbued him with a resilience and grit that would later define his broadcasting style. His pre-Celtics career is explored in detail, from his days as a college quarterback to his eclectic early broadcasting gigs—ranging from quiz show stand-ins to roles at small radio stations—culminating in a colorful anecdote about being fired from a Pennsylvania station after punching the owner. These formative years set the stage for his eventual arrival in Boston in 1953, when he landed the role that would make him a household name among basketball fans.
The heart of the book delves into Most’s tenure with the Celtics, spanning 37 years and all 16 of the team’s championships during that period, offering a front-row seat to the dynasty’s golden era. Most’s gravelly voice and unabashedly partisan commentary—delivered from his perch "high above courtside"—became synonymous with Celtics basketball, turning routine games into epic battles of good versus evil. He recounts his relationships with key figures like owner Walter Brown, the cigar-chomping coach and GM Red Auerbach, and players such as Bill Russell and Larry Bird, blending personal anecdotes with game highlights. His storytelling shines in moments like the time his pants caught fire from a cigarette mid-broadcast, a tale told with self-deprecating humor that underscores his larger-than-life persona. Most’s memoirs also serve as a history of the Celtics’ dominance, capturing iconic calls—like his famous “Havlicek stole the ball!”—and profiling the toughest opponents from the 1950s through the 1980s, all filtered through his unapologetically pro-Celtics lens, which painted referees and rival players as perennial villains.
Beyond the games, the book offers a poignant look at Most’s personal struggles and triumphs, notably his recovery from a stroke in the 1980s, a period during which the Celtics organization and Boston fans rallied around him, reinforcing his status as a beloved teammate in spirit. His reflections on this support reveal a softer side to the cantankerous broadcaster known for nicknames like “Little Lord Fauntleroy” for Isiah Thomas or “McNasty” for Rick Mahorn. The narrative is enriched with contributions from those who knew him, including a foreword by Auerbach and an epilogue by Bird, adding depth to Most’s legacy. Completed shortly before his death in 1993 and published posthumously in 2003, the book stands as a time capsule of a bygone era in basketball, blending autobiography with a tribute to the Celtics’ unparalleled success. Most’s witty, evocative prose and unflinching honesty make it a compelling read for fans of the NBA, the Celtics, and the art of sports broadcasting, offering not just a recounting of events but a celebration of a life lived passionately in service of the game.